Rise of the Otherworld.

A sharp whistle echoed in the night sky, the sound like a sharp ice spike, piercing everyone's heart and instantly shattering the tense yet orderly atmosphere. Zhang Hao's heart suddenly shuddered, and an ominous premonition came over him. He thought to himself, "Oh no! It seems their actions have been discovered in advance."

"Everyone, be careful! There might be an ambush!" Zhang Hao shouted anxiously, his voice low. He quickly gripped his weapon, which gleamed coldly in the moonlight. He surveyed his surroundings with vigilance, his gaze sharp as an eagle's. Dark shadows flickered faintly in the surrounding woods, accompanied by a rustling sound. Like a swarm of snakes, a group of black-robed figures surged toward them from all directions. Their eyes were icy, like a bottomless pool. The weapons in their hands flashed with a chilling light. Clearly, they had come prepared, and a fierce battle was inevitable.

"I didn't expect they were so prepared. We've fallen for their trick!" Ling Yu gritted his teeth and said bitterly, a flicker of regret and self-blame in his eyes. But he was experienced after all, and he quickly adjusted himself, gripping the dagger tightly in his hand and assuming a fighting stance, his eyes rekindled with a resolute fighting spirit.

The mysterious man's brows furrowed tightly, like two locked mountains. His mind raced like gears, rapidly calculating a response. He whispered to those around him, "Don't panic. We'll stick to our original plan and try to break through the defenses and enter the stronghold. As long as we can destroy their core, we still have a chance of winning this battle. Panic will only put us in greater danger." His voice, though low, held a reassuring calmness.

Zhang Hao nodded vigorously in agreement. He took a deep breath, his chest heaving violently, and shouted loudly: "Brothers, don't be afraid! Now that we are here, we can't retreat. For those innocent villagers, for this continent shrouded in shadows, charge!" After shouting, he rushed towards the black-robed men who surrounded him like a tiger descending from the mountain, waving the long sword in his hand vigorously. For a moment, the cold light flashed, like a silver snake flying. Several black-robed men who approached could not avoid it in time, and were hit one after another, making painful groans.

Ling Yu followed closely behind. His nimble form was like a flash of black lightning, weaving effortlessly through the crowd of black-robed men. Each strike was a precise strike to the enemy's vital points, his movements clean and sharp, without hesitation. His dagger gleamed eerily in the night. Wherever he struck, the black-robed men cried out in pain, and blood splattered on the ground like blooming dark flowers.

However, the black-robed men were numerous, and new enemies constantly emerged from the woods, like an endless black tide. Although Zhang Hao and his companions fought hard, holding their ground like rocks in a storm, they gradually began to lose strength, and wounds began to appear on their bodies. Sweat mixed with blood, dripping down their cheeks and onto the ground, soaking a small patch of soil.

At this moment, the mysterious man formed seals with his hands, his fingers dancing like butterflies as he muttered something deep and mysterious, as if emanating from a distant, mystical land. In an instant, the previously calm sky was filled with dark clouds. The inky clouds rolled and surged like surging waves, and thunder rumbled like a galloping horse. Thick bolts of lightning struck from the clouds like a savage dragon, blasting towards the black-robed figure. The flashes of lightning illuminated the entire valley, instantly dispelling the darkness. Accompanied by bursts of roaring sounds and the black-robed figure's screams, the scene was momentarily in chaos, and the acrid smell of burning filled the air.

"Now's the chance! Charge!" Zhang Hao seized the opportunity and once again led the group towards the weak point in the defenses. Under the cover of lightning, they slashed through the first layer of the black-robed men's encirclement like a sharp blade. The light of lightning reflected on them, outlining their resolute figures, like gods of war descending to earth.

But when they reached the weak point in the defenses, they found it heavily reinforced. The originally planned breakthrough point was now covered with sharp spikes, like ferocious fangs. Traps were hidden in the ground, and a group of more powerful black-robed men guarded the perimeter. These black-robed men were tall and imposing, their eyes filled with ferocity and disdain, as if to tell Zhang Hao and the others that this place was difficult to break through.

"Damn it! They've really strengthened the defenses here." Zhang Hao looked at the scene before him, his heart filled with anger, his knuckles turning white as he gripped his sword. But he had no intention of retreating. Instead, he became even more determined to break through the defenses, his eyes burning with an unyielding fire.

"Everyone, listen up! Let's work together and we'll definitely be able to break through here," Zhang Hao said, his eyes piercing as he carefully observed the surroundings, trying to find a way out. His gaze darted back and forth between the spikes, the traps, and the black-robed figure, his brain racing as he pondered a countermeasure.

Upon hearing the commotion, the ambush team, led by the old man and the woman, rushed to support. Like autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, they swept away many of the black-robed men who attempted to escape, and now they had arrived at a weak point in the defenses. Their figures moved swiftly in the night, as silent as ghosts, making no sound until they were close.

"We're here to support!" the old man shouted, his voice resonant and powerful, echoing through the valley like a bell. Simultaneously, he unleashed a spell, sending beams of light shooting like sharp arrows towards the black-robed guards. Wherever the light reached, the black-robed figures shimmered with light, their forms swaying slightly as if struck by an invisible force. Not to be outdone, the woman danced her hands swiftly, unleashing powerful magic. For a moment, light and magic intertwined, a dazzling display of color yet shrouded in murderous intent, as she once again engaged the black-robed figures in a fierce battle. The magical light illuminated the entire area, casting a flickering shadow on the black-robed figures, like demons from hell.

Under the combined force of the crowd, the black-robed defenders gradually began to lose their composure. Their defenses began to falter, and their once neat formation became chaotic. But at that moment, a bell suddenly rang from within the stronghold. The sound was melodious yet eerie, like a call from the abyss. As the bell rang, the already panicked black-robed men suddenly became frantic. Their eyes were filled with fanaticism and determination. Regardless of their own safety, they roared and launched an even more fierce attack on Zhang Hao and the others. Their attacks were like a violent storm, wave after wave, leaving them breathless...