Rise of the Otherworld.

The black mist surrounding the black-robed guardian grew thicker, like a boundless ocean of darkness, enveloping him layer by layer. The mist swirled and twisted like a living thing, like countless hideous tentacles dancing wildly around him. The powerful, almost terrifying aura continued to rise, like an invisible, towering mountain, bearing down on everyone, suffocating them. The dust on the ground was lifted high by this overwhelming aura, forming small whirlpools that hummed and whirred, as if wailing in anticipation of the ferocious battle to come.

"Everyone, be careful! He's going all out!" Zhang Hao said as he channeled his spiritual energy into his entire body, attempting to use this power to resist the overwhelming pressure that surged like a tidal wave. Although his legs trembled slightly from the immense pressure, as if they would collapse at any moment, his eyes remained as firm as a torch, like an eternal beacon in the darkness, revealing his unyielding spirit and fearlessness.

The black-robed guardian laughed wildly, his laughter sharp and manic, filled with endless murderous intent, like the roar of a demon from the depths of hell. "You think you can escape unscathed by injuring me? Today, this is your burial place!" As soon as he finished speaking, he thrust his hands forward, like the Grim Reaper swinging his scythe, sentencing everyone to death. Instantly, countless black energy blades rained down upon the crowd like a torrential rain. These energy blades flashed with an eerie, icy light, like a cold ray from the underworld. Wherever they passed, the air seemed to be cut by sharp blades, emitting a piercing hissing sound, as if the very air itself groaned in pain.

Seeing this, Zhang Hao roared, his voice resounding like a bell. He swung his sword with impenetrable force, its blade gleaming with a cold, chilling light. He formed a shield of spiritual energy before him, attempting to block the swarm of energy blades. However, the onslaught was too fierce, like an overwhelming force. Under the torrent of energy blades, the shield flickered continuously, like twinkling stars in the night sky, yet so fragile. Tiny cracks spread rapidly like spider webs, as if announcing the shield's imminent shattering.

Ling Yu fought back the pain, which felt like a sharp dagger, piercing his nerves from time to time. He gritted his teeth and struggled to his feet. He and the woman exchanged a quick glance, understanding each other, and together they cast a spell. Instantly, a softly luminous defensive barrier slowly rose before them, like a solid fortress, emitting a faint halo. The mysterious man, regardless of his own weakness, remained pale as paper, beads of sweat streaming down his forehead. But his eyes held a resolute look as he gathered his strength once more, ready to launch a counterattack, even if it meant consuming his last breath.

The old man maintained his defensive spell, his hands trembling slightly as he muttered something. His voice, though aged, was firm and powerful as he shouted, "Everyone, hold steady. Don't panic! Find his weakness and strike him a fatal blow!"

Energy blades rained down upon the barrier, emitting deafening roars that threatened to shatter the entire world. Suddenly, with a crisp, thunderous "crack," the barrier finally buckled under the weight, a startling gash appearing. Several energy blades, like unbridled wild horses, pierced through the gap in the barrier and soared towards the crowd. Seeing this, Zhang Hao, without hesitation, rushed forward like a flash of black lightning, blocking the energy blades hurtling towards the woman with his body. With a "puff," the energy blade mercilessly pierced his shoulder, and blood instantly gushed out like a fountain, staining his clothes red and glaring in the moonlight.

"Zhang Hao!" the woman exclaimed, her voice filled with worry and anxiety. Her eyes instantly welled up with tears. The magical light in her hand intensified, and a powerful force gathered in her palm. Then, she unleashed a powerful shockwave like a torrent, sweeping towards the remaining energy blades. Wherever the shockwave struck, the energy blades were shattered, turning into tiny points of light that dissipated into the air.

The black-robed guardian took advantage of the moment when everyone was fending off the attack and flashed in front of Zhang Hao. With ghostly speed, like a flash of black lightning, he instantly appeared before Zhang Hao. He raised his right hand high, and a ball of black flame condensed in his palm. The flame danced, emitting a chilling aura that seemed to devour everything. He said viciously, "I'll send you on your way!"

Just as the black flames were about to strike Zhang Hao, Ling Yu appeared like a ghost, his eyes gleaming with determination. The dagger in his hand flashed with a cold light as he fiercely stabbed the black-robed guardian in the back of his neck. The black-robed guardian, sensing the attack from behind, abandoned his attack on Zhang Hao and dodged to the side. Ling Yu's dagger grazed his neck, leaving a faint trace of blood. A trace of fresh blood oozed out, standing out against the darkness.

"You bastard, you're courting death!" the black-robed guardian roared angrily, a sound that threatened to shake the entire valley. His eyes burned with rage as he turned and launched a frantic attack at Lingyu. Lingyu dodged nimbly, weaving in and out of the black-robed guardian's attacks like a nimble cheetah, deftly maneuvering with him, trying to buy the mysterious man more time to prepare. Every second felt like a life-or-death struggle.

The mysterious man knew this was his last chance. Like a drowning man grasping at a straw, he poured all his spiritual energy into his hands. Like surging waves, it coalesced into a dazzling energy ball in his palms. This ball, imbued with his full strength, flickered constantly, sometimes bright as the sun, sometimes dim as the stars in the night sky, as if it would explode at any moment from the overwhelming power.

"Everyone, distract his attention. I'm going to attack!" the mysterious man shouted loudly. His voice was full of firmness and determination, like a battle horn.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Hao, Ling Yu, and the woman all attacked the black-robed guardian without hesitation, attempting to attract his attention. Zhang Hao ignored the pain in his shoulder, which burned like a blazing flame, but he continued to swing his sword, each strike carrying a fierce momentum, as if to shatter the darkness. Ling Yu, nimble and agile, like a black phantom, constantly sought opportunities to attack the black-robed guardian's vital points. Each attack was like a venomous snake emerging from its lair, swift and deadly. The woman unleashed a variety of colorful and powerful magic spells, flashing with light, disrupting the black-robed guardian's movements and creating opportunities for her companions.

The black-robed guardian was somewhat overwhelmed by the attacks. He frantically defended himself while shouting angrily, "You idiots, all of you must die!"

At that moment, the mysterious man seized the opportunity. In that instant, time seemed to freeze. He threw the energy ball in his hand with all his might towards the black-robed guardian. The energy ball streaked across the night sky like a meteor, trailing a long tail of light. With the power to destroy everything, it rushed straight towards the black-robed guardian, as if to completely dispel the darkness...