Rise of the Otherworld.

Everyone slowly approached the crystal ball, emitting a strange glow. The light flowing on its surface seemed to possess an invisible magic, subtly drawing everyone's attention and drawing them in, as if they were trapped in a mysterious vortex, unable to extricate themselves. Zhang Hao was the first to break the silence. His voice, though soft, echoed clearly in the quiet hall: "This crystal ball is so extraordinary, perhaps it hides a profound secret related to the mysterious ruins." His eyes were fixed on the crystal ball, glittering with curiosity and exploration.

The mysterious man nodded in agreement. He narrowed his eyes slightly and slowly paced around the stone platform, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's as he scrutinized every detail of the crystal ball. After a moment, he spoke slowly, his tone tinged with conviction: "Judging from the spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from the crystal ball, it must be an extremely powerful magical instrument, or perhaps a key to some kind of guidance. This spiritual energy is steady and powerful, and it's definitely not something that can be possessed by ordinary objects."

Although Ling Yu's injuries had not yet healed and his body was still weak, his strong curiosity drove him to support himself and limp towards the crystal ball. He looked at it curiously, his eyes full of doubts: "I wonder if we can touch it, and if it will trigger some mechanism?" He raised his hand slightly, as if he wanted to touch the crystal ball, but hesitated because of worry.

The woman seemed more cautious. She frowned slightly, and a hint of vigilance appeared in her eyes: "It is better to be careful. There are many dangers in these ruins. Every step may contain hidden secrets. If we are not careful, we may fall into an irretrievable situation." Her voice was soft but firm, ringing in everyone's ears like an alarm bell.

As everyone was discussing this quietly, the crystal ball suddenly shone brightly, a blazing light like a sudden, blazing sun. Everyone was forced to quickly close their eyes and shield their eyes with their hands. Even through their fingers, the intense light shone brightly. When the light faded, everyone slowly opened their eyes and saw ripples on the surface of the crystal ball, like waves on water. Vivid images gradually emerged from within.

The scene unfolds on an ancient battlefield, a world seemingly otherworldly. Countless powerful monks, clad in exotic attire and wielding radiant magical weapons, engage in fierce combat with a horde of mysterious creatures. The sky is stained ablaze with the radiance of various spells: red like fire, blue like ice, and purple like the mystical power of the stars, interwoven together to create a magnificent yet perilous scene. The earth trembles violently in the aftermath of the battle, as if unable to bear the weight and ready to collapse.

The mysterious man looked at the scene with an extremely solemn expression. He frowned slightly, his tone filled with confusion and surprise. "This seems to be a battle from ancient times. I have never seen these creatures before. I believe they have extraordinary origins. Their forms are strange, and the aura they exude is extremely powerful. They are definitely not comparable to the common monsters in the world today."

As the scenes shifted like a film, a magnificent palace appeared before everyone. Towering into the clouds, it emanated a sacred and majestic light, as if forged from the very power of the stars. Layers of mist surrounded the palace, creating a dreamlike, mystical quality. The palace gates slowly opened, emitting a dull, ancient sound, like the sigh of time. A figure slowly emerged from the palace, radiating a soft glow. Their face was indistinct, but they held a crystal ball strikingly similar to the one before them. Their radiance echoed, as if revealing a mysterious connection.

"Could this be the origin of this crystal ball?" Zhang Hao muttered to himself, with a hint of surprise and speculation in his voice.

Immediately, ancient characters appeared on the screen. Like living creatures, they flickered and danced across the crystal ball's surface. The mysterious man quickly leaned in, intently deciphering the text. "It says this crystal ball holds the key to the ruins' core treasure, but we must pass a trial to prove our worth. This trial will test our courage, wisdom, and unity."

Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts trembled, as if enveloped by an invisible pressure. The old man stroked his beard and said thoughtfully, "It seems that if we want to obtain the treasure, we must go through a test. This test will not be easy, so we must be fully prepared."

A hint of excitement flashed in Lingyu's eyes. Although his body was in pain, his fighting spirit was instantly ignited: "No matter what the test is, I am willing to give it a try. Maybe it can greatly increase my strength, and I won't hold everyone back next time." He clenched his fists, his eyes full of determination.

The woman rolled her eyes at him, a hint of concern and reproach in her eyes: "Don't be so stubborn, take care of your own injuries first. Without a healthy body, how can you face the test?"

Zhang Hao pondered for a moment, then raised his head, looked at everyone with a firm gaze, and said, "In that case, we will accept the trial. But everyone, be careful. This trial will definitely not be easy. We must unite as one and face it together. We have experienced countless hardships and obstacles along the way. As long as we work together, we will definitely overcome all difficulties."

Everyone nodded, their eyes revealing a shared determination, reaching a consensus. Then, the crystal ball flashed, a light like a vast vortex, instantly enveloping everyone. They felt the world spinning before their eyes, their bodies weightless, pulled by a powerful force. When everything calmed down, they were transported to an unfamiliar dimension.

This space was shrouded in mist, a thick fog that seemed to permeate the surroundings like a substance, obscuring the path ahead. The air was filled with an oppressive atmosphere, as if countless pairs of eyes hidden in the darkness, coldly peering at them, making them feel uncomfortable and an inexplicable chill welled up in their hearts...