Rise of the Otherworld.

A figure slowly emerged from the main hall, seemingly shrouded in a thick, black mist. The mist, swirling like a substance, enveloped his form, making it appear vague and indistinct, exuding a mysterious and terrifying aura. With each step he took, it felt as if an invisible mountain were bearing down on him. A powerful sense of oppression washed over them, making everyone's breathing pause, as if even the air itself had become heavy and sticky.

"You guys, you're asking for death, you dare to break into the stronghold of my Shadow Cult? You're simply courting death." The figure finally spoke, his voice was low and hoarse, like a curse coming from the depths of the Nine Nether Hell. Every word was filled with endless gloom and chill, as if it could freeze everyone's soul.

Zhang Hao, suppressing the overwhelming pressure, gazed intently. He saw a man of immense stature, as tall and muscular as a towering mountain. He wore a black robe, the corners embroidered with eerie blood-red runes. These runes seemed alive, flickering faintly in the darkness, emitting an evil aura. He wore a black hood, a deep shadow obscuring most of his face. Only his eyes shone with a blood-red light, like two burning will-o'-the-wisp flames, revealing an endless murderous intent and ruthlessness.

"Who are you from the Shadow Cult?" Zhang Hao summoned up all his courage and asked loudly, pointing the sword in his hand directly at the other party. Although a trace of fear arose in his heart, his eyes were extremely firm and he looked at the other party without fear.

"I am the guardian of the Shadow Cult. None of you will escape alive today." The black-robed guardian snorted coldly, a sound like a winter wind, piercing with icy cold. He slowly raised his hand and waved it casually. A black energy wave, like a surging undercurrent, swept towards the crowd with overwhelming force. Wherever the energy wave passed, the air seemed to boil, emitting a sizzling sound, and the ground was plowed into a deep gully.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Hao and the others quickly deployed their own methods to resist. Zhang Hao unreservedly channeled all his spiritual energy into his longsword, causing it to burst forth with dazzling light. He lashed out with a powerful sword energy, which, like a mighty blade splitting the heavens, collided with the surging energy wave. Instantly, a resounding roar shook the valley, as if the very world itself trembled. The air seemed to be ripped apart, creating visible ripples that spread outward, snapping the surrounding trees.

Ling Yu flashed, transforming into a streak of black lightning, hurtling towards the black-robed guardian at breakneck speed. His eyes gleamed with determination, the dagger in his hand flashing with a cold gleam, as he attempted to seize the moment the black-robed guardian cast a spell and deliver a fatal blow. At this crucial moment, the black-robed guardian seemed to sense Ling Yu's intentions, and a cruel smile curled up his lips, a smile that resembled the smirk of a demon, chilling and terrifying. Without moving, he simply raised his finger, and a black flame materialized from nowhere. Like a ferocious serpent, the flames, carrying a destructive aura, shot towards Ling Yu. Sensing the approaching danger, Ling Yu shivered and dodged, but the flames, incredibly fast, grazed his arm. Suddenly, a piercing pain washed over him, and Ling Yu grunted. The clothing on his arm instantly crumbled to ash, revealing a scorched expanse of skin. The air was thick with the smell of scorched flesh.

"Ling Yu!" Zhang Hao's heart raced upon seeing this, a flicker of panic in his eyes. He desperately tried to rush to Ling Yu's rescue, but the black-robed guardian seemed to see through his thoughts and attacked with a torrential downpour. Bolts of black energy shot towards him like sharp arrows, each one imbued with immense power, forcing him to resist with all his might. Zhang Hao swung his sword, forming a defensive barrier before him, but the black energy was too powerful. Each impact numbed his arms and involuntarily stumbled backwards.

The mysterious man knew the situation was dire. If he didn't devise a plan quickly, everyone would perish at the hands of the black-robed guardian. He gritted his teeth, a flicker of determination in his eyes. He boosted his spiritual power to its limit and unleashed a forbidden spell. Suddenly, the sky suddenly shifted. The previously calm night sky was suddenly filled with dark clouds, the inky black clouds surging like a raging tide, as if the world were about to end. A massive bolt of purple lightning descended from the sky, like a giant dragon, carrying devastating power as it struck the black-robed guardian. Wherever the lightning passed, the air was ionized, emitting a dazzling light that illuminated the entire valley.

The black-robed guardian felt this overwhelming force, his expression changing slightly, a flicker of alarm in his eyes. He dared not allow himself to remain complacent, his hands dancing swiftly like two black bats dancing in the night sky. A black energy barrier quickly coalesced before him, a barrier like an indestructible black shield, emitting an eerie glow. Purple lightning struck the barrier fiercely, emitting a radiance even brighter than before, illuminating the entire valley like daylight and stinging everyone's eyes. For a moment, the cacophony of thunder and explosions mingled, deafening, and everyone's eardrums seemed poised to shatter.

As the light gradually faded, the black-robed guardian reappeared. His robe was slightly torn, a few strands fluttering in the wind, and his hair was a bit disheveled, no longer as calm as before. But overall, he was fine, only slightly panting, evidently the strain of the previous attack. Meanwhile, the mysterious man, casting a forbidden spell, had suffered a significant backlash. His face had turned pale as paper, a trace of blood oozing from the corner of his mouth. His body was shaky, as if the slightest breeze could blow him over.

"With such limited abilities, you dare challenge the Shadow Cult?" the black-robed guardian sneered, his laughter filled with disdain and mockery. He raised his head slightly, his eyes etched with cruelty and ruthlessness, ready to launch another attack and completely annihilate them. At this critical moment, the old man suddenly shouted, "Everyone, listen! Concentrate your attacks on his left hand! That's his weak spot!" It turned out that during the fierce battle just now, the old man, with his keen observation and rich experience, had noticed that the black-robed guardian's left hand was slightly stiff when he cast the spell, as if there was some subtle flaw.

Upon hearing this, a spark of hope reignited in the hearts of the crowd, previously despairing. Zhang Hao, Ling Yu, and the woman exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a resolute conviction. They all adjusted their stances, gripping their weapons tightly, ready to launch a new round of attacks, engaging in a final, desperate struggle with the black-robed guardian...