Rise of the Otherworld.

The light surged like a tidal wave, its overwhelming force threatening to consume everything in the world. Everyone was instantly trapped, as if they were a small boat in a raging storm, poised to be ruthlessly overturned at any moment. Zhang Hao's heart sank, knowing there was no escape. A flicker of determination flashed in his eyes, and he unleashed an unreserved burst of spiritual power. Like a blazing flame, it quickly coalesced into a spiritual shield before him. The shield shimmered with a faint glow, like a sturdy barrier, attempting to withhold the overwhelming force of the light. However, the power of the light was truly astonishing. The moment the shield made contact, a crackling sound emanated, like steel scorching in flames. Then, tiny cracks appeared, spreading like a spiderweb.

Ling Yu watched Zhang Hao struggle, his heart aching with anxiety. He forced a breath, ignoring his own fatigue and pain, and rushed towards the light like lightning. The dagger in his hand danced rapidly, emitting streaks of cold light, attempting to shatter the light. However, the light was incredibly resilient, and the dagger's passage only caused ripples, like a stone dropped into a calm lake, the waves fleeting. Furthermore, the light also grazed his arm, the sharp light like a blade, leaving a deep bloody mark in an instant. Blood flowed out, staining his sleeve red.

The mysterious man rapidly formed hand seals with his hands, his movements as smooth as flowing water. He muttered something in a deep, mysterious voice, as if communicating with some ancient power. As he chanted, a black curtain of light slowly rose from his palms, like nightfall, quickly clashing with the light. The curtain trembled violently under the fierce impact of the light, like a leaf in a storm, ready to be swept away by the wind and ripped apart mercilessly.

The woman cast her magic once more, attempting to form a new protective barrier. However, the previous battle had already exhausted her, and her movements became slow and labored, each gesture feeling as if it weighed a thousand pounds. Beads of sweat streamed down her forehead, dripping down her cheeks to the ground. Her face was as pale as paper, and her lips trembled slightly from the effort. But she gritted her teeth, her eyes etched with determination, striving with all her might to hold up a safe haven for everyone.

The old man chanted the incantation loudly. His voice, though aged, was filled with power, reverberating through the passage like a bell, reinforcing everyone's defenses while he anxiously contemplated a way to break it. His gaze darted across the magic circle, every symbol and pattern flashing before his eyes. In this crucial moment, he suddenly caught sight of a symbol at the edge of the circle. The shape and pattern of that symbol bore a striking resemblance to a key symbol mentioned in an ancient book he remembered as crucial for breaking the evil seal.

"Everyone, hold on! I might have found a way!" the old man shouted, his voice tinged with surprise and eagerness, as if he had seen a glimmer of light in the darkness. He ignored the razor-sharp impact of the light and struggled to move towards the edge of the magic circle. Every step forward was accompanied by immense pressure, and the light continuously sliced ​​through his body, leaving streaks of blood on his body. But the determination in his eyes never wavered.

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope ignited within Zhang Hao, a faint spark in the darkness, enough to rekindle his resolve. He strained his strength to stabilize his spiritual shield, shouting, "We'll hold on. You figure something out!" His shield was already shaky, and his arms were trembling slightly from the immense pressure, as if they would collapse at any moment. But he gritted his teeth and persevered.

Lingyu and the mysterious man gritted their teeth, knowing full well they couldn't give up now. Lingyu's clothes were stained red with blood, and he looked utterly disheveled, but his eyes still held on with an unyielding fighting spirit. He swung his dagger with all his might, even though each swing tore his wounds and caused unbearable pain. The mysterious man's black light gradually thinned, almost transparent, but he held on stubbornly, a vein bulging on his forehead, revealing the immense pressure he was under.

The woman finally formed a weak protective barrier. While it couldn't completely block the light, it did alleviate some of the pressure on everyone. It was like a candlelight swaying in the wind, though weak, it gave everyone a chance to breathe.

The old man finally reached the edge of the circle. He didn't bother wiping the sweat and blood from his forehead. After carefully examining the symbol, he quickly pulled out a specially crafted pen from his pocket. This pen, acquired by chance during his years of travel, was said to possess magical powers. He dipped it in the special ink he carried with him. The ink shone faintly, as if imbued with some mysterious power. Then, he began to trace the symbol, each stroke careful yet powerful. As he traced, the symbol shimmered, striking a strange resonance with the circle. The circle's light began to flicker, its previously orderly beams becoming chaotic, like an army without a leader, carelessly hurling itself in all directions.

Seeing this, everyone's spirits lifted, as if they saw the dawn of victory. Zhang Hao suddenly compressed his spiritual shield and launched himself at the crystal like a cannonball. His body left a shadow in the passage, and the weapon in his hand, with all his might, smashed into the crystal. This strike condensed his anger, his hope, and his desire for victory.

Ling Yu also took the opportunity to pour all his spiritual energy into the dagger. His eyes were filled with determination as he threw the dagger with all his might. The dagger transformed into a stream of light, accompanied by a whistling sound, and pierced into the crack in the crystal. The crack rapidly widened under the impact of the dagger.

The mysterious man gathered his last bit of strength into a black beam of light. This beam of light was like a black dragon, carrying a breath of destruction, and hit the crystal.

Under the combined attack of everyone, the crystal cracked, and cracks spread rapidly, like a shattered spider web. Finally, with a resounding bang, it exploded. Crystal fragments flew everywhere, transforming into tiny specks of light that dissipated into the air.

As the crystal shattered, the magic circle's light gradually dissipated, and the tidal light vanished without a trace. The passageway instantly fell silent, leaving only the heavy breathing of the crowd. They collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, their hearts filled with the joy of having survived. Their faces were covered in fatigue and sweat, but their eyes gleamed with triumph.

"Finally succeeded..." Zhang Hao smiled tiredly, with relief and satisfaction in his smile.

"Yes, thanks to the old man, otherwise we would be in danger this time." Ling Yu wiped the sweat and blood from his forehead and said with lingering fear. His voice was full of gratitude to the old man.

The mysterious man nodded slightly: "Next, let's see if the strange phenomena in the village will disappear after this formation is destroyed." There was a hint of expectation in his eyes, but he also remained vigilant.

After a short rest, they returned to the village along the passage, filled with anticipation, to verify the results of this arduous battle. Although their steps were heavy, their hearts were filled with hope, hoping that the village would return to its former tranquility...