Rise of the Otherworld.

Just as the black beam of light, like lightning, shot towards the mysterious man, time seemed to freeze, and the shadow of death instantly loomed. The woman, her eyes wide as bells, quickly cast a defensive spell without hesitation. Instantly, a transparent shield formed before the mysterious man, a solid barrier emitting a faint glow. The black beam struck the shield with devastating force, creating a deafening roar that seemed to shake the entire space. The shield trembled violently, its surface covered in cracks like a spiderweb, as if it would shatter in an instant.

"Hold on!" the mysterious man shouted, his voice tinged with nervousness and determination. Beads of sweat covered his forehead, each a manifestation of his inner tension. He knew he couldn't lose focus at this moment. If he stopped deciphering the runes, everyone would be doomed. At this moment, the runes around the crystal ball flickered even more intensely, their light fading, as if urging them to speed up, as if they were engaged in a life-or-death race against the black-robed man's attacks.

Zhang Hao and Ling Yu's battle with the enemy intensified, reaching a fever pitch. Surrounded by enemies, they felt like a small boat caught in a raging sea, vulnerable to being swallowed at any moment. Enemy attacks descended like a torrential downpour, the cold gleam of swords flashing around them. Their wounds multiplied, blood gushing out, staining the ground beneath their feet and forming pools of crimson. Yet, they held off the enemy like two towering mountains, buying precious time for the mysterious man and his companions. "We can't let them get close!" Zhang Hao gritted his teeth, forcing the words out. He then swung his sword, each strike laced with desperate determination, his blade colliding with the enemy's weapons, sending sparks flying.

The mysterious man and the old man stared intently at the flickering runes, their eyes filled with concentration and anxiety. The runes' flickering patterns were complex and mysterious, like the elusive trajectory of stars in the universe. Suddenly, the mysterious man's eyes lit up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He pointed to a rune and said, "That's it!" The rune emanated a unique light, like a beacon guiding the way in the darkness. Without hesitation, the old man poured his spiritual power into it, his movements smooth and efficient. The rune shone with an intense light, like a burning flame, interweaving with the light of other runes to form a vast array of light. The runes flowed within the array, emitting a mysterious and powerful force, as if constructing a passage to the unknown.

The crystal ball's radiance reached its peak, a blinding brightness that was nearly impossible to gaze upon. The surrounding space began to distort, like a crumpled piece of paper, taking on bizarre shapes. A powerful suction emanated from it, like a black hole, attempting to devour everything around it. "Everyone, get ready. This might be the exit!" Zhang Hao shouted, his voice resounding loudly amidst the clamor.

Seeing this, the black-robed man realized with horror that they might actually be escaping. His face instantly turned pale as paper. His eyes widened to the point of bursting, filled with rage and unwillingness. He frantically urged his men to charge forward recklessly, like driving a pack of rabid beasts. "We can't let them escape!" he shouted hysterically, his voice shrill and piercing, as if it could tear the very space apart.

Yet, at this moment, Zhang Hao and Ling Yu stood like two impassable mountains. Though gravely wounded and their bodies teetered, their resolve remained unwavering. They coordinated with each other. Zhang Hao's longsword surged like a dragon emerging from the sea, each swing carrying immense force, pushing back the approaching enemies. Ling Yu, with her agility, weaved effortlessly through the enemy's encirclement, her dagger piercing the enemy with deadly force. They stubbornly repelled each enemy attack, blood pouring from their wounds, yet they held their ground.

The mysterious man shouted, "The rune has been deciphered. Let's go!" He grabbed the woman, her eyes filled with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. They rushed toward the warped space created by the crystal ball, their steps quick and determined. The old man quickly followed, his face a hint of fatigue, but more so, a desire to escape.

Zhang Hao and Ling Yu fought and retreated, struggling to reach the crystal ball amidst the enemy's encirclement. Several more wounds afflicted their bodies, but they refused to retreat. Finally, they seized a gap in the enemy's attack and darted into the distorted space. The moment they entered, the black-robed man let out a furious roar, a roar filled with despair and rage. He desperately reached out to grab them, but only grasped at nothing, leaving only his furious roar echoing in the empty space.

As everyone entered the distorted space, the light from the crystal ball gradually faded, like a star extinguished at nightfall. The stone door slowly closed with a dull sound, as if it were the sound of the gate of fate closing, blocking the black-robed man and his men outside.

Within the twisting space, everyone felt as if their bodies were being pulled by an invisible force, powerful and mysterious, like a giant, invisible hand, manipulating their bodies at will. Lights flickered before their eyes, a dazzling cacophony of multicolored light intertwining, leaving them dizzy. Their bodies felt like they were traveling through an endless tunnel at breakneck speed, the whistling sound of wind lingering in their ears. After an unknown amount of time, seemingly a century, they finally emerged from the space and arrived in a strange, tranquil valley.

The valley was blanketed in verdant grass, a sea of ​​green, gently undulating in the breeze. Flowers bloomed in profusion, their vibrant colors vying for attention, emitting a fragrance as if crafted from nature's own delicate blend. A clear stream gurgled through, its water shimmering in the sunlight, creating a melodious sound that seemed to play a welcoming melody. In stark contrast to the harsh surroundings just before, this place felt like a paradise, tranquil and peaceful.

"We... we finally escaped," Ling Yu said wearily, a hint of weakness in his voice, but a smile of relief appeared on his face. That smile was like the warm sun on a winter's day, warm and brilliant. Everyone collapsed to the ground, feeling the hard-earned peace. Their bodies were exhausted, but their hearts were filled with joy. But they knew that this adventure was only the beginning, and that more unknown challenges awaited them in the future, like the giant beast hidden in the darkness, ready to appear at any moment...