Rise of the Otherworld.

The deep rumble echoed through the cave, like the roar of an ancient beast awakening from its slumber, instantly tightening everyone's nerves, which had just relaxed. The sound was like a hammer, hammering down on everyone's hearts, making them clearly aware that the danger had not gone away, but had intensified.

Zhang Hao struggled to his feet. Though his body was exhausted, every muscle aching in protest, his gaze remained resolute. He whispered, "It seems we can't rest just yet. Trouble is brewing again." His voice, though low, carried an undeniable calmness, like a stabilizing force in the darkness. Everyone nodded, their faces etched with fatigue, yet they steeled themselves, gripping their weapons or preparing their spells, ready to face the new challenge.

As the roar grew louder, a thick fog emerged from the depths of the cave. The fog took on an eerie purple hue, like a swirling sheet of purple ink, emitting a pungent, nauseating odor. Everyone quickly covered their mouths and noses, staring warily in the direction of the fog, not daring to blink, for fear of missing any sign of danger.

A massive figure gradually emerged from the mist. As the fog cleared, everyone could see a much larger creature, resembling a giant python. Its body was covered in shimmering scales, each like carefully crafted armor, radiating a mysterious and dangerous sheen. Its enormous eyes, like a pair of blood-red lanterns, radiated a chilling light, seemingly able to see through the fear in everyone's hearts.

"What kind of monster is this?" the woman whispered, a hint of fear in her voice, and she unconsciously leaned closer to Zhang Hao. In the face of this unknown and powerful threat, a hint of vulnerability inevitably appeared beneath her strong exterior.

"No matter what it is, we have to find a way to deal with it." Ling Yu gripped the dagger tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, and his eyes revealed a hint of determination. He knew that retreating at this moment would only lead to death. Only by moving forward bravely could he have a glimmer of hope.

The mysterious man and the old man exchanged a quick glance, understanding each other without words, and began silently preparing their spells. The mysterious man's hands shone with a blue light, like the deep ocean, condensing a powerful water force. The water swirled in his palms, as if ready to transform into a deadly weapon at any moment. The old man muttered something, and a yellow aura shone around him. The aura was like thick earth, as if he was casting some kind of earth-based defensive spell, forming a solid line of defense for the crowd.

The giant python slowly swam over, its massive body scraping against the ground, making a dull sound, as if the earth were groaning in pain. Suddenly, it opened its bloody maw and gushed out a stream of purple venom, like a raging torrent, rushing towards the crowd. The venom arced through the air, carrying a chilling aura, and wherever it passed, the air seemed to corrode.

"Beware the venom!" Zhang Hao shouted, his voice echoing through the cave. Everyone quickly scattered and dodged, like frightened birds. The venom splashed onto the ground, instantly corroding deep pits and emitting waves of acrid smoke. The smoke was like the tentacles of a demon, trying to devour everything around it.

Zhang Hao seized the opportunity and charged at the giant python. He poured his spiritual power into his sword without reservation, and the blade gleamed with dazzling light, like a burning flame. He leaped high, and like a flash of black lightning, he slashed fiercely at the python's head. This strike condensed his anger and determination, attempting to inflict a fatal blow on the python. The python sensed the attack, and its massive head, like a nimble snake, swiftly twisted its body to avoid the vital points. The longsword struck its scales, sending up a shower of dazzling sparks and a crisp metallic sound.

While the python was dodging Zhang Hao's attack, Ling Yu, like a ghost, circled behind it, his figure looming in the dim cave. He zeroed in on the python's softer underbelly, his dagger flashing with a cold gleam as he attempted to deliver a fatal blow. However, the python seemed prepared, its tail like a thick steel whip, lashing out at Ling Yu with immense force. Unable to dodge, Ling Yu was struck by the tail, his body flying backwards like a kite with a broken string, landing heavily on the ground in a cloud of dust. He groaned, a trace of blood escaping from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes remained unyielding.

Seeing this, the woman quickly formed hand seals, muttered something, and unleashed a powerful freezing magic. A massive wall of ice instantly rose before them, like an impenetrable fortress, emanating waves of chill. Simultaneously, she condensed countless icicles, which lined up neatly before her like soldiers awaiting battle. At her command, the icicles rained down upon the giant python. The icicles flashed with cold light in mid-air, emitting a whirring sound. As they landed on the python, they clanged and dinged, leaving only faint marks on its scales, like an ant trying to shake a tree.

The mysterious man and the old man had also prepared their spells. With a resounding roar, the mysterious man threw the blue water ball he had gathered in his hand toward the python. As it neared the python, the ball suddenly exploded, transforming into countless razor-sharp water blades. These blades, like sharp blades, flashed with a cold light, slicing through the python's body. The old man then cast an earth-based defensive spell, forming a thick rock shield beneath the crowd. Like a layer of solid armor, the shield protected them all, preventing the python from attacking from underground.

Under the attacks of the crowd, the giant python roared in anger. The roar shook the cave, and rocks from the ceiling fell. Its body twisted rapidly, its massive form like a moving mountain, dodging most of the water blades. Then, it opened its maw again, and this time, an even more powerful stream of purple venom gushed out. Like a galloping purple dragon, it rushed directly towards the ice wall...