Rise of the Otherworld.

Zhang Hao's sword, like a piercing cold ray, pierced the crystal beast's eyes with the force of a wind. In that instant, time seemed to freeze, and everyone's eyes were fixed on the sword. However, just as it was about to make contact, the crystal beast, as if sensing the mortal threat, swung its massive head with such speed that the air shook. Zhang Hao's sword grazed its eye socket, leaving only a faint mark on the iron-hard crystal shell, as if proving the insignificance of human strength before this powerful beast.

The beast roared furiously, the sound like a surging wave, sweeping over with overwhelming force, piercing everyone's eardrums like countless steel needles. It raised its massive claw, a claw as heavy as a mountain, and slammed down on Zhang Hao. Zhang Hao couldn't dodge and was struck by the edge of the claw. He flew out like a kite with a broken string, arcing through the air before crashing heavily into the cave wall. With a muffled thud, a mouthful of blood spurted from his mouth, staining his clothes red and piercing everyone's heart.

"Zhang Hao!" everyone exclaimed, their voices filled with worry and concern. The woman, distraught, hurriedly cast a healing spell. Her hands shone with a soft, vibrant light, like a spirit, as it flew towards Zhang Hao, slowly enveloping his body and relieving his injuries. Under the light, Zhang Hao's furrowed brow relaxed slightly, and a hint of color gradually returned to his pale face.

At this moment, Ling Yu, harnessing the power of the wind, moved around the beast like a ghost. His figure flickered in and out of the light, his speed elusive. He repeatedly attacked its eyes with wind blades, which, like razor-sharp daggers, whistled with the sound of wind as they darted towards the beast's eyes. However, the beast's defense was formidable; the wind blades only splattered a few crystal shards, causing minimal damage.

The mysterious man manipulated sharp stone spikes protruding from the ground. Like blades, they stabbed at the beast from all directions, attempting to restrict its movement. The spikes collided with the beast's body, making crisp sounds, but they were unable to penetrate its hard crystal shell. The beast merely swayed slightly before continuing to advance, as if the attacks were merely tickling it.

The old man unleashed powerful spells, alternately blasting the behemoth with flames and lightning. The flames roared like a dragon, carrying billowing waves of heat as it charged towards the beast; the lightning, like silver snakes, flickered and danced across the beast's body. For a moment, the cavern shimmered with light, the roar of spells deafening, as if the entire world trembled in the fierce battle. However, while the crystal beast was somewhat hamstrung by the attacks, its defenses were formidable, rendering most attacks barely tangible. Still, it advanced with heavy steps, its eyes gleaming with ferocity.

The crystal beast opened its maw once more, and an even more powerful crystalline beam shot towards the group. This beam was thicker and faster than before, blasting through the air with a sizzling sound, as if signaling its terrifying power. Everyone quickly gathered to defend themselves. The mysterious man reinforced his earthen shield to the utmost, his hands rapidly forming seals. Beads of sweat covered his forehead, and the runes on the shield shimmered, as if under immense pressure. Ling Yu manipulated the wind to form a barrier, attempting to cushion the impact of the beam. His eyes were determined, his hands dancing, and wind energy gathered around him. The old man, with all his might, cast a defensive spell. His staff shone brightly, and his body trembled slightly, as if he were locked in a life-or-death struggle against the powerful beam. A woman, standing nearby, continuously replenished everyone's spiritual energy. Her face was pale, but her eyes were filled with determination. Her hands shone with a soft light, channeling a steady stream of spiritual energy to her companions.

The beam collided with the defenses, causing a violent explosion. Light instantly engulfed everyone, and the entire cave trembled, as if ready to collapse. The light, like a dazzling sun, was too bright to look directly at. When the light faded, everyone's defenses were already shattered. The mysterious man's earth shield shattered completely, turning into a pile of dust; Lingyu's wind barrier also dissipated, leaving only a faint sound of wind. The old man's face was as pale as paper, and he gasped for breath, as if he would collapse at any moment. The woman's spiritual energy was exhausted, and her legs were weak, and she could barely stand.

Zhang Hao gritted his teeth, swallowing the pain and rising to his feet. His body trembled slightly, each movement piercing with pain, but his gaze remained resolute. He knew he couldn't give up now; if he did, everyone would perish. He observed the crystal beast closely, noticing that before each powerful attack, the crystal on its chest would flicker with a strange light. Like a beacon in the darkness, that light guided him.

"Attack its chest. That's the source of its power, and perhaps also its weakness!" Zhang Hao shouted loudly. Although his voice was a little hoarse due to the pain, it was firm and powerful, echoing in the cave like a huge bell.

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately adjusted their attack direction. Ling Yu condensed a massive wind blade, resembling a gigantic full moon, emitting a chilling aura. He channeled all his spiritual energy into it and slashed at the beast's chest. The wind blade, accompanied by a whistling sound, slashed fiercely like a sharp blade. The mysterious man manipulated several massive stone pillars, which rose from the ground like small mountains, carrying the power of the earth as they crashed into the beast's chest. The pillars collided with the beast's chest with a dull thud, and the beast's body swayed slightly. The old man also concentrating the last of his spiritual energy, unleashing an incredibly powerful fire spell. Like a roaring fire dragon, it charged at the beast's chest. The flames ignited within the beast's chest, sizzling with a sizzling sound, and tiny cracks began to appear. The woman condensed an ice sword and, with all her might, hurled it at the beast's chest. The ice sword was like a meteor, carrying a cold breath, piercing into the chest of the giant beast.

Taking advantage of the moment when the giant beast was distracted by the attacks of the crowd, Zhang Hao used his skills again and rushed towards the giant beast. His figure was like a black lightning, flashing in the light. He poured all the remaining spiritual power in his body into the long sword, jumped high, and stabbed the giant beast's chest fiercely. This time, the long sword successfully pierced the shining part of the giant beast's chest. The giant beast let out a painful roar, and the sound was like an earthquake, shaking the entire cave. Its body trembled violently, as if it was in great pain. Seeing this, everyone increased the intensity of their attacks. Under the joint attack of everyone, the crystal on the chest of the crystal giant beast began to crack, and the cracks quickly spread throughout the body. Those cracks were like stars, flashing on the body of the giant beast.

Finally, with a resounding bang, the giant crystal beast collapsed to the ground, shattering into countless crystal fragments. The scene was like a dazzling meteor shower, the crystal fragments gleaming with a myriad of colors under the light. Everyone looked at each other wearily, each covered in wounds, their clothes in tatters, and covered in blood and dust. But their eyes shone with the joy of victory, a sense of relief and pride after enduring a life-or-death ordeal.

After a short rest, they realized that they had to find the last key as soon as possible and leave this dangerous maze, because they didn't know what unknown dangers were waiting for them...