Rise of the Otherworld.

Everyone dragged their exhausted bodies back to the village. Dawn was already breaking, the dark blue sky like a vast piece of silk, slowly being dyed a pale pink by the morning light. The first rays of morning light, like a golden sword, pierced through the remnants of the night, illuminating every inch of the village, as if bringing new hope to this place that had been through so much suffering. The soft light, like a mother's hand, gently caressed every corner of the village, dispelling the gloom that had shrouded it for so many days.

When the villagers saw them return, their doors flung open, and men, women, and children, young and old, poured in from every corner like a tide, surrounding them. Seeing their bewildered yet triumphant expressions, the villagers felt a mixture of worry and anticipation. Their eyes flickered with confusion and concern, as if they had countless questions that desperately needed answers.

"What happened? Has that terrible thing been solved?" A white-haired old man asked anxiously, his voice trembling slightly due to nervousness, and his hands tightly grasped Zhang Hao's sleeves, as if that was his last straw.

Zhang Hao smiled and nodded. That smile was like the warm sun on a winter's day, warm and reassuring. "Don't worry, it's resolved." His voice, though hoarse with fatigue, was filled with power, resounding like a bell in everyone's ears.

At that moment, the village, previously hushed to a point of oppressive silence, was suddenly filled with the clear sound of birdsong. The voice was melodious and lingering, like the most beautiful music composed by nature. In the past, this might have been just an ordinary morning sound, but now, to everyone's ears, it was like the sound of nature, bringing unprecedented solace to their souls. Then, wisps of smoke slowly rose, curling like the dancing ribbons of a fairy, swirling and drifting over the village. The village began to come alive, and children, like cheerful little birds, played and laughed in the streets, their clear laughter echoing throughout the village. The adults' faces also beamed with long-lost smiles, smiles that expressed gratitude and cherishment for a peaceful life.

The villager who had been attacked by the strange light had regained some of his spirits. He hurried over to Zhang Hao and the others, tears of excitement glistening in his eyes. He dropped to his knees and said with tears of gratitude, "Thank you! Without you, who knows what would have become of our village. You are our saviors!"

Zhang Hao hurried forward, helped him up with both hands, and said with a smile: "This is the joint efforts of all of us. We are very happy to see the village return to peace." His eyes were full of sincerity and relief. Looking at the village and villagers who had been reborn after the disaster, a sense of accomplishment surged in his heart.

The mysterious man looked at the bustling village, frowned slightly, and whispered to Zhang Hao: "It seems that after the formation was destroyed, everything has returned to normal. However, we still have to figure out who is behind all this." His eyes were deep and sharp, as if he wanted to penetrate the calm appearance and explore the truth hidden deep inside.

Zhang Hao nodded deeply in agreement and said with a firm look, "That's right. We can't let the mastermind behind this go so easily. Let's stay in the village for a while and investigate thoroughly." His voice revealed an unquestionable determination, as if declaring to the enemy hiding in the darkness that they would never give up.

Therefore, they decided to stay in the village for a few more days to continue to explore the truth behind the incident. They carefully checked the abandoned temple and the passage where the formation was discovered, leaving no corner that might hide clues.

In a corner of the abandoned temple, Lingyu, like a sharp hound, discovered some strange footprints. These footprints were much larger than those of ordinary humans, and their shape was odd, wide at the front and narrow at the back, as if they were the marks left by some strange creature. "Everyone, come and see! These footprints could be related to that monster or the mastermind behind this," Lingyu shouted excitedly, his voice echoing throughout the empty temple.

Hearing the shout, everyone quickly gathered around, squatting down to carefully examine the footprints. The mysterious man squatted down, gesturing with his hands to measure the size and shape of the footprints, his eyes revealing a thoughtful glint. He said, "Judging from these footprints, this creature is large and agile. Perhaps it is some kind of monster controlled by dark forces." His tone was certain, but also mixed with uncertainty. After all, all this was just their speculation.

The old man nodded slowly and said, "It is very likely. It seems we should start the investigation from this aspect." His voice was steady and powerful, which gave everyone some confidence.

Just then, a sudden commotion erupted from outside the village. The sound shattered the newly restored tranquility, like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples surging. Everyone was startled, glancing at each other with a flicker of alarm. Without a moment's hesitation, they hurried out of the village.

Standing at the entrance to the village was a group of strangers, all dressed in uniform black robes that rustled in the wind, resembling a vast, black ocean. They wore mysterious masks carved with bizarre patterns, their faces obscured, creating a mysterious and eerie atmosphere.

"Who are you? What are you doing in our village?" Zhang Hao asked vigilantly. He leaned forward slightly, his hands unconsciously clenched around his weapons, ready to deal with any possible danger at any time.

The leading black-robed figure looked coldly at Zhang Hao and the others, his eyes revealing a hint of disdain and murderous intent. He declared, "You've ruined our plan. Today is your death!" His voice was icy and piercing, like a verdict delivered from the depths of hell. With a wave of his hand, a movement like the Grim Reaper swinging his scythe, the black-robed figures behind him drew their weapons, their gleams gleaming coldly. Like hungry wolves, they charged towards Zhang Hao and the others, a fierce battle imminent...