Rise of the Otherworld.

The group continued their journey deeper into the valley, surrounded by an eerie silence, as if time had stood still. Only the gentle thud of their footsteps echoed cautiously in the deathly stillness, each step a test of fate. As Zhang Hao walked, like a keen hunter, he vigilantly monitored his surroundings, trying to find a more secluded and secure spot in this perilous valley, a hopeful anchor for their journey.

Suddenly, the old man in the middle of the group slipped, his body suddenly leaning forward, and he almost fell. Ling Yu was quick to reach out and hold him steady. However, this slight movement, in the almost vacuum-like silence of the valley, was as abrupt as thunderclaps from a clear sky.

Almost simultaneously, they heard a slight noise not far away, like someone accidentally breaking a branch, clearly heard in the silence. Everyone's heart tightened, as if being gripped by an invisible hand. They stopped immediately, afraid to breathe, as if even a breath would shatter the fragile stillness and expose them to danger. Zhang Hao reacted quickly, a look of determination flashing in his eyes, and motioned for everyone to take cover behind a nearby boulder.

As they hid, they saw the mysterious group appear in the distance like ghosts. The man in black robes still walked in front, like a master of the darkness. His eyes revealed a hint of doubt, as if they could see through all hidden secrets, and seemed to have noticed the unusual sound just now.

"What was that sound just now? Are you sure you didn't hear it wrong?" The man in black robe turned his head, his eyes shot like lightning to one of his men beside him, his voice was low and cold, as if carrying endless pressure.

"Sir, it's absolutely true. I heard some movement over here." The subordinate answered respectfully, his voice trembling slightly. He seemed particularly nervous under the majesty of the man in black robe.

"It looks like they're nearby. Search them thoroughly," the black-robed man commanded, his face cold as a frost in winter. His words were as hard as steel, leaving no room for doubt.

The team immediately dispersed like well-trained hounds, beginning a thorough search. Their steps were steady and powerful, each one carrying a determination to achieve their goal. They hid behind boulders, daring not to breathe, their pounding hearts almost audible in the silence. They stared nervously at the approaching enemy, their eyes filled with vigilance and worry.

Ling Yu gripped the dagger tightly, his knuckles white from the strain, as if he were about to sink it into his hand. His eyes burned with determination, and he vowed to himself that if discovered, he would do everything in his power to protect everyone, even at the cost of his own life. The mysterious man silently gathered his spiritual energy, his hands trembling slightly, a sign of the power surging through him, ready to strike at any moment, to inflict a fatal blow. The woman also clutched the corner of her clothes nervously, her fingers pale from the strain, her eyes filled with fear and anxiety. That fear loomed like a shadow within her, but she fought to remain calm.

As the searchers drew closer, the situation grew increasingly critical, as if an invisible net were slowly tightening. Zhang Hao's mind raced, like a high-speed machine, as he pondered a strategy. He knew full well that a head-on confrontation would be extremely unlikely. Having just endured the ordeal in the cave, their physical and spiritual strength were at a low ebb. Confronting these powerful enemies would be like fighting an egg against a rock.

At that moment, Zhang Hao, as if finding a lifeline, noticed a narrow crack beside the boulder. Beneath the crack lay a deep cavern, its darkness like a deep eye, concealing an endless unknown. A thought struck him, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes. He pointed to the crack, signaling everyone to descend through it.

They carefully entered the cave through the crack. It was pitch black, like an endless abyss, and filled with a damp odor, like decaying memories, making them feel sick. As they descended, they heard the footsteps of the searchers above them. The sound was like the footsteps of death, hovering above them.

"Strange, why didn't we find anyone?" a searcher said in confusion, with a hint of unwillingness in his voice.

"Look more carefully, it must be nearby." Another voice responded with a persistence in its tone.

Everyone in the cave dared not make a sound, as if time had stood still. They quietly waited for the danger to pass, their hearts filled with fear of the unknown. However, they did not know that this cave was not a safe place. It seemed to hide unknown dangers, like a dormant giant beast, waiting for them to step into a trap...