Rise of the Otherworld.

The group cautiously ran along the earthen bridge reinforced by the mysterious man, heading for the island in the lake. The cold wind from the lake was like a sharp blade, scraping their faces mercilessly. However, their hearts were filled with only an urgent desire for the key, and their pace did not slow down. The island in the lake was now like a beacon in the darkness, drawing them forward regardless of everything.

As soon as they stepped onto the island, the luminous object became clearly visible. Half-hidden beneath a raised block of ice, it resembled an ancient key, shrouded in the glow of mysterious runes. The runes flickered, as if revealing a hidden secret. Zhang Hao hurried forward, his movements gentle yet urgent, fearing to disturb the mysterious key. He gently moved the ice aside and grasped the key in his hand. The moment he touched the key, a strange spiritual power surged through his arm and into his body, moving swiftly through his body like a nimble snake. Then, a series of vague messages suddenly emerged in his mind, flashing through it like fragmented scrolls, seemingly guiding them in the direction of the next key.

"This key seems to be giving us a clue," Zhang Hao shared his perception. They immediately gathered around him, their faces filled with anticipation and nervousness. They stared at Zhang Hao intently, as if trying to decipher some mysterious message from his expression. Zhang Hao took a deep breath and slowly relayed the information in his mind to everyone. Based on what he described, the next key was most likely hidden deep within the maze, within a vast crystal cavern filled with various traps and protected by an even more powerful force.

"Time is running out! We need to speed up." Ling Yu glanced around, a hint of anxiety in his eyes. The urgency of time weighed heavily on everyone's heart like a heavy stone. Without hesitation, they immediately left the island and headed deeper into the maze. Their steps were hurried but firm, each step carrying the determination to face the unknown challenge.

As we deepened into the maze, the surroundings grew increasingly eerie. Faint phantoms began to appear on the walls on either side of the passage. These apparitions resembled ancient monks, casting spells or engaging in fierce combat, only to vanish as the crowd approached, as if mere remnants of history. The spells of these phantoms shone brilliantly, the battles thrilling, yet all were fleeting, like a dream.

The mysterious man frowned and whispered, "These apparitions may be a warning of some kind. We must be even more cautious." His voice was deep and solemn, resonating through the passage like a bell. Everyone nodded, channeling their spiritual energy throughout their bodies, every cell brimming with vigilance. Their eyes were as sharp as hawks, constantly alert to the surroundings, not missing a single sign of abnormality.

Suddenly, the passage ahead was blocked by a massive stone gate, inscribed with intricate runes. The runes were densely packed, interwoven, forming a mysterious maze. Zhang Hao tried to insert the key he had just obtained into the lock, but nothing happened. The moment the key entered the lock, silence fell, as if time had stopped.

The old man carefully examined the runes, his eyes gleaming with wisdom and concentration. He slowly said, "These runes appear to form a puzzle. We need to solve it before the stone door will open." Everyone immediately gathered around the stone door and began to carefully study the runes' arrangement and meaning. Their eyes darted back and forth over the runes, trying to find clues to the puzzle within the complex lines.

After some reflection, Lingyu discovered that the rune arrangement resembled the hand gestures of the statues they had seen earlier in the square. A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he quickly shared his discovery with everyone. Then, following the order of the statues' gestures, he pressed the corresponding runes on the stone door. With each rune pressed, a flash of light shone, as if responding to his touch. As the last rune was pressed, the stone door emitted a low rumbling sound, echoing through the passage like thunder. The stone door slowly opened, and a stale atmosphere filled the air.

Behind the door was a staircase descending, constructed from a softly glowing stone. The light wasn't blinding, yet it illuminated the entire stairway. As they descended, a damp, slightly fishy smell filled their faces. The odor made them feel uneasy, as if foreshadowing the danger ahead. At the end of the staircase, a vast crystal cave appeared before them. Within, a dazzling array of multicolored crystals shimmered in a variety of shapes, some sharp as swords, others blossoming like flowers. Yet, behind this beautiful scene, seemingly lurked endless dangers, stirring a sense of vigilance...