Rise of the Otherworld.

The bells echoed through the valley, their eerie sound carrying some kind of sinister magic, hammering at everyone's nerves like a sledgehammer, driving the black-robed men into a frenzy. Their eyes gleamed with madness, and like mad dogs, they charged at Zhang Hao and the others, reckless and reckless, their attacks becoming increasingly fierce, each move imbued with the ruthless determination to kill both parties.

Zhang Hao brandished his longsword, its blade stained red with blood, like a blade pulled from a pool of blood. Facing the oncoming tide of black-robed figures, his gaze remained as steadfast as a rock, without a trace of fear. Each swing of his sword drew a spray of blood, painting a tragic scene in the darkness. However, the black-robed figures were too numerous, like an endless black wave, crashing over his defenses one after another. He gradually began to feel his strength failing, his arms growing heavier, as if filled with lead. Each swing of his sword required immense effort.

"Zhang Hao, hold on!" Ling Yu shouted from the side, his voice hoarse from the strain and exertion. His dagger, like a swift, venomous snake in his hand, stabbed the enemy's vital points. Despite his nimble form, relying on his agility to weave through the black-robed crowd and deliver fatal blows, the enemies continued to pour in like a swarm of locusts, and several wounds began to appear on his body. Blood flowed from his wounds, soaking his clothes, a particularly shocking sight in the night.

The mysterious man's spell gradually lost its power. Beads of sweat covered his forehead, and beads the size of beans rolled down his cheeks, leaving his face slightly pale, as white as a sheet of paper. But his eyes remained firm, burning with an unyielding fire. He knew that he could not retreat at this moment. If he did, everyone would be doomed. He took a deep breath, his chest heaving violently, and cast the spell again. Streams of black mist flowed from his hands, like black pythons, spreading towards the black-robed man. Wherever the mist touched, the black-robed man struggled to breathe, clutching his throat, and his movements became slow, disrupting the rhythm of his frantic attack.

The old man and the woman worked in perfect harmony, like a pair of battle-hardened comrades. The old man chanted incantations, his voice deep and powerful, as if traversing a tunnel of time and space, carrying an ancient power. He cast a defensive spell over the crowd, a faint glow enveloping them like a layer of solid armor, shielding them from the black-robed man's attacks. Simultaneously, he unleashed an offensive spell, sending bolts of light piercing the black-robed man like sharp arrows. In the flash of light, the black-robed man was struck, one after another, crying out in pain. The woman focused on unleashing a powerful magical attack, her hands gleaming like two brilliant stars. Fireballs pelted the black-robed man like meteors, exploding through the crowd, sending a wave of heat through the crowd. The scene was a scene of chaos, accompanied by billowing smoke and the black-robed man's screams.

However, the frenzied counterattack of the black-robed figures exacerbated the situation. Several of them slipped through the crowd's defenses, dashing towards the woman like fish slipping through a net. Concentrating on casting a spell, the woman was unable to dodge. Seeing this, the old man, without hesitation, stepped in front of the woman. Though his figure was slightly frail, it now resembled a towering mountain, conveying a sense of solidity and security. He quickly unleashed a powerful shield, like a transparent wall, blocking the black-robed figures' attacks. The black-robed figures' attacks struck the shield, sending up showers of sparks like fireworks bursting across the night sky. Cracks began to form on the shield, as if it could no longer bear the weight.

"No! We'll all die here if this goes on!" Zhang Hao shouted, his voice echoing through the valley, tinged with anxiety and determination. While fending off the attacks from the black-robed men, he rapidly pondered a countermeasure. Suddenly, he spotted a large rock not far away. It stood there silently, like a small hill. A glint flashed in his eyes, and an idea came to him.

"Lingyu, mysterious man, come with me. Let's push that huge rock down and disrupt their formation!" Zhang Hao shouted, with unquestionable decisiveness in his voice.

Ling Yu and the mysterious man understood. Without hesitation, they seized the moment between the black-robed man's attacks and, like three bolts of black lightning, charged towards the boulder. Their figures moved swiftly through the night, stirring the wind. Arriving at the boulder, the three men worked together to push it. They gritted their teeth, exerting all their strength, their facial muscles contorting with the effort. The boulder slowly shifted, making a dull thud, then rolled towards the black-robed man like a wild horse, accelerating.

Seeing this, the black-robed men dodged. The boulder careened through the crowd, knocking the black-robed men to the ground wherever it passed. For a moment, screams rang out. The once neat formation was instantly thrown into disarray, and the black-robed men were thrown into chaos. Taking advantage of this disorganization, the crowd launched another attack, like a tiger descending from the mountains, unstoppable.

Zhang Hao brandished his longsword, charging into the black-robed crowd, striking left and right. His figure weaved through the black-robed figures, his sword wielding in a flash of cold light, blood splattering. Ling Yu moved like a ghost, his figure appearing and disappearing in the darkness, his dagger slicing through his foes, each strike precise and deadly. The mysterious man unleashed a spell, launching long-range attacks against the black-robed figures. His hands danced in the air, sending beams of magical light blazing towards the black-robed figures like meteors chasing the moon. The black-robed figures fell to the ground one after another after being struck.

The old man and the woman also increased their attack. The old man's magic shone brightly, its already powerful light becoming even more dazzling, like a blazing sun, driving back the surrounding black-robed men. The woman unleashed a powerful freezing spell, and a chilling aura instantly spread, freezing some of the black-robed men in place. Their bodies were encased in ice, like ice sculptures.

Thanks to everyone's efforts, the frenzied attacks of the black-robed men were finally contained. Their numbers gradually dwindled, and a hint of fear began to show in their once frantic eyes. That fear spread like a plague among the black-robed men, making their attacks less frenzied.

"Everyone, keep pushing harder. We're almost there!" Zhang Hao shouted, his voice full of inspiring power, resonating through the valley like a bell. It was like a shot of adrenaline in the heart, filling their exhausted bodies with renewed strength.

Everyone responded in unison, their voices echoing through the valley, their morale soaring. They pressed on, launching a final assault on the remaining black-robed men. However, at that moment, the main door to the stronghold's main hall slowly swung open with a dull creaking sound, like the prelude to the opening of the gates of hell. A figure emerged, shrouded in darkness, its face indistinct, yet emanating a powerful, sinister aura that sent shudders down its spine...