Rise of the Otherworld.

Zhang Hao, like a lone boat amidst the enemy, struggled forward amidst the turbulent waves. His wounds multiplied, and crimson blood slowly trickled down his clothes, staining the bluestone floor like dark flowers. But his gaze grew ever more resolute, like a burning torch, illuminating the resolve of the others to fight. Each swing of his sword was filled with resolve, its blade colliding with the weapons of the phantom soldiers, sending up a shower of sparks as he attempted to tear a hole through the impenetrable encirclement.

Lingyu and the woman were doing their utmost to maintain the wind-binding spell, beads of sweat rolling down their foreheads like beads from a broken string. The massive consumption of wind-based spiritual energy gradually made them feel powerless, and their arms trembled slightly from the long and intense spellcasting. But when they saw Zhang Hao struggling in the enemy group, every dangerous evasion was like a hammer hitting their hearts. They gritted their teeth, their eyes revealing tenacity, and continued to persevere. Wind blades whizzed through the group of phantom soldiers, like a swarm of angry bees, constantly disrupting their formation. However, the number of phantom soldiers was too great, like a tide, and some phantom soldiers still broke through the wind's restraints and rushed towards the crowd in orderly steps.

The mysterious man's earthen wall crumbled under the assault of the phantom soldiers, like a candle in a gust of wind. Cracks had already appeared on its surface, threatening to collapse at any moment. He rapidly formed seals with his hands, muttering something to himself. Veins bulged on his forehead, each one a testament to his effort. "Hold on! We can't let them break through!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the square, a touch of tension and determination, like the beating of a war drum, spurring the crowd's morale.

The old man seized the opportunity and swung his staff. A powerful lightning spell, like a dragon emerging from the sea, blasted towards the chaotic phantom soldiers. The lightning, like sharp blades, tore through the enemy horde, flashing with lightning and roaring with deafening force. The phantom soldiers, struck by the lightning, flickered and shimmered, their ethereal bodies fading under the powerful force, seemingly suffering considerable trauma.

"Everyone's working together well! Keep it up!" Zhang Hao shouted, his voice a hint of fatigue, but more of an encouragement. At the same time, he dodged a fierce attack like a ghost, then thrust his sword at the phantom soldier beside him. The blade pierced the soldier's body with precision, but it felt like piercing ethereal mist, causing only a ripple. However, the phantom soldiers were simply too numerous, pouring in wave after wave like an endless tide, and the battle gradually became arduous.

Zhang Hao realized this wasn't going to work. He forced himself to calmly consider countermeasures while fighting. Amidst the fierce battle, he keenly noticed that while the phantom soldiers moved in unison, each time a lightning spell struck them, there was a brief pause, as if a program malfunction had occurred. "Old man, focus your lightning on their leg joints to slow them down!" Zhang Hao shouted, his voice drowning out the din of battle.

Upon hearing this, the old man immediately understood and adjusted his spell. He concentrated the power of lightning on the phantom soldiers' legs. The tip of his staff shone brightly, and bolts of lightning struck like meteors. The lightning struck the joints of the phantom soldiers' legs, making a crackling sound. Many of the phantom soldiers' legs became unsteady after being hit, and their once orderly steps became chaotic.

Seeing this, Lingyu and the woman seized the opportunity to increase the power of their wind spells. They waved their hands, and wind energy converged frantically, erupting into a gust of wind, like the roar of a giant beast. The wind swept through, knocking the immobilized phantom soldiers to the ground like fallen leaves swept by an autumn wind. The mysterious man then manipulated the earthen wall, which instantly transformed into massive boulders, which plummeted towards the fallen phantom soldiers like meteorites. The boulders collided with the phantom soldiers, making a dull thud, and many vanished in the onslaught.

With everyone's concerted efforts, the number of phantom soldiers gradually dwindled. A faint mist filled the square, the traces left behind by the dissipated phantom soldiers. But at that moment, a new group of phantom soldiers emerged from the four corners of the square, and this group exuded an even more powerful aura. Their armor was thicker, and their weapons flashed with an icy light, like demons from hell.

"Oh no! Enemy reinforcements have arrived, and they're even stronger!" Zhang Hao shouted, his voice tinged with solemnity. As they watched the incoming enemy, they knew this battle would be even more difficult. Yet, their eyes held no trace of fear; instead, they were filled with determination to fight, a conviction strengthened by the hardships they had endured.

The mysterious man took a deep breath, calmed his pounding heart, and said, "We can't panic. According to our previous cooperation and the new strategy, we will definitely be able to defeat them!" Although his voice was steady, it revealed an unquestionable power.

Zhang Hao nodded and quickly made new arrangements: "Lingyu and the woman, continue to use wind magic to interfere with their actions; old man, this time use lightning to attack their weapons to make them lose their attack power; mysterious man, you use earth magic to set traps to prevent them from getting close. I will take the initiative to attack and find their flaws." His eyes swept across everyone firmly, as if conveying an invisible force.

Everyone sprang into action, and a fiercer battle unfolded. Wind spells were first unleashed, raging across the square, swaying the phantom soldiers. The old man swung his staff, sending lightning scattering like a net across the phantom soldiers' weapons, a flash of lightning flashing. The mysterious man plunged his hands into the ground, causing it to rise instantly. Earth spikes and traps appeared in the phantom soldiers' path. Zhang Hao, like a flash of black lightning, charged at the phantom soldiers, his sword gleaming coldly in the sunlight. A thrilling battle raged across this mysterious square...