Rise of the Otherworld.

Everyone moved cautiously through the woods, each step a delicate one, as if the ground beneath their feet wasn't solid ground, but rather a teeming with traps poised to trigger at any moment. Zhang Hao walked in front, like a guide groping his way through the darkness. His eyes scanned the surroundings warily, like two sharp searchlights, not missing a single movement; his ears, like sophisticated radar, picked up every unusual sound. Not only did he have to keep an eye on the mysterious group approaching from behind, the threat looming like a dark cloud, but he also had to find a safe hiding place, a temporary respite for everyone in this perilous valley.

Suddenly, Zhang Hao stopped, his gaze drawn to a dense patch of bushes ahead. The bushes' branches intertwined, like a green cloak carefully woven by nature, forming a natural barrier. He turned back, his eyes revealing caution and determination, and gestured to the crowd to silence them. The gesture seemed to possess an invisible force, instantly silencing them. Then, he pointed at the bushes again, a gentle gesture that seemed to convey a life-or-death signal. Everyone understood, and their steps became even lighter, approaching the bushes like ghosts, each step cautious and tense.

As they retreated into the bushes, their tension didn't ease at all. Instead, it felt like a taut bowstring, poised to snap at any moment. Through the gaps in the branches, they saw the mysterious group had entered the valley, slowly searching their direction. A black-robed man walked at the front of the group, like the grim reaper in the night. His gaze was as sharp as a hawk's, seemingly able to see through any disguise. He constantly scanned the surroundings, not a single clue escaping his observation.

"They seem to be looking for someone. Are they really after us?" the woman whispered, her voice as soft as a sigh on the breeze, yet tinged with an unconcealable fear. Her body trembled slightly, like a leaf shivering in the cold wind, fear spreading through her heart like a tide.

"It's possible. We made quite a bit of noise in the cave before, and maybe they noticed it." The mysterious man responded in a low voice. His voice was low and calm, like an undercurrent surging beneath the calm lake. He tried to calm everyone's nervous emotions, but there was also a hint of worry in his words.

Ling Yu gripped the dagger tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, his eyes revealing a hint of determination, like a burning flame: "If we are really discovered, we will fight them to the death!" Although his voice was not loud, it carried a desperate courage, as if he was ready to fight to the last moment.

"Don't act rashly. We're not in a good state to fight right now. If you can, hide where you can," Zhang Hao said, his gaze never leaving the team. His eyes were firm and steady, like an unshakable mountain. He knew that with neither his physical nor spiritual strength restored, impulsive action would only lead to disaster.

At this moment, the black-robed man seemed to sense something and stopped a short distance from the bushes. He crouched down, his movements as agile and focused as a cheetah, carefully examining the footprints and broken branches on the ground. Those traces seemed like a mysterious code, waiting to be deciphered. "They should be nearby. Spread out and search. Don't miss any corner." The black-robed man stood up and commanded the team in a voice as loud as a bell. His words echoed in the air like an icy command, making everyone's heart rise to their throats.

Everyone huddled tightly in the bushes, not daring to breathe, as if even breathing would be a sign of exposing themselves. As the footsteps drew closer, the sound was like the heavy beat of a drum, hammering at everyone's heart, and their heartbeats quickened, as if they were about to burst through their chests.

At that moment, a hare suddenly shot out from the bushes, like an arrow from a bow, and ran off in the other direction. A warrior who was searching saw the hare and shouted, "Look, there's a rabbit over there!" This cry, like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, instantly captured everyone's attention. Like puppets being directed, the team chased after the hare.

Seeing this, everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief, as if a huge rock weighing on their hearts had been temporarily removed. But they knew that the danger was not over yet. The team could return at any time, like a poisonous snake hidden in the darkness, ready to launch a fatal attack.

"We can't stay here for long. We have to continue going deeper into the valley." Zhang Hao said. Although his voice was still steady, it also carried a hint of urgency.

So, taking advantage of the group's absence, they carefully emerged from the bushes and continued their journey deeper into the valley. Their steps remained light and cautious, not daring to slack off. However, unbeknownst to them, the other group, after chasing for a while, realized the hare had disappeared and turned back to continue their search in the valley. The other group was like a determined hound, determined not to give up until they found their target, while the others were like prey fleeing in the darkness. In this battle between concealment and pursuit, the balance of fate continued to swing...