Rise of the Otherworld.

Everyone turned away from the collapsed maze, gazing at the unfamiliar and unknown area before them, their hearts awash with mixed emotions. The life-ordeal they had just experienced had made them cherish each other even more, and they were also wary of the challenges ahead.

Zhang Hao clenched the three keys in his hands, whose light was gradually fading, feeling the power they contained, and said slowly: "Since these three keys are so difficult to obtain, the things they unlock must be of extraordinary significance. We can't stop here." His eyes were firm, staring into the distance, as if he could penetrate the heavy fog and see the unknown challenges.

Ling Yu stretched his slightly stiff body, and his joints made a "cracking" sound. He nodded in agreement: "That's right, and we don't know how long the power of this key can last. We must find the corresponding lock as soon as possible." He glanced around sharply, always alert to potential dangers.

The mysterious man looked into the distance with deep eyes, as if he was searching for something, and whispered, "But in this vast place, where should we start looking?" His voice was low, with a hint of doubt, as if he was asking everyone, or talking to himself.

The old man stroked his beard, frowned slightly, and said after thinking for a moment: "When I got the key before, I vaguely felt a mysterious force pulling me. Perhaps if we follow the direction of this force, we can find clues." There was wisdom in his eyes, as if he could see the direction of the future from that vague pull.

Everyone followed his instructions, and the old man, relying on his vague perception, led them northwest. Along the way, the scenery grew increasingly bizarre, as if entering a fantastical world. From time to time, brilliant streaks of light streaked across the sky, as bright as shooting stars, yet even more brilliant and colorful, weaving together a series of dreamlike paintings across the sky. On the ground grew a variety of strange plants, some shimmering like gems inlaid in the earth, while others exuded a unique fragrance, fresh and pleasant, yet with a hint of mystery that lifted one's spirits.

As they advanced deeper, an ancient ruin emerged before them. The gate stood tall and majestic, seemingly carved from a single monolith, covered in mysterious runes and patterns. These runes and patterns seemed to speak of a distant history. Their lines were simple and flowing, each stroke imbued with endless mysteries, yet no one could decipher their meaning. The runes flickered with a faint light, as if engaging in a silent dialogue with the crowd.

Zhang Hao tried to insert three keys into what looked like keyholes on the gate, but they didn't fit. He frowned slightly, puzzled. Just as everyone was confused, the woman noticed some grooves in the walls on either side of the gate. The shape of the grooves was very similar to the outline of the runes on the keys.

"Look, could these grooves be related to the key?" the woman said, pointing at the wall. There was a hint of surprise in her eyes, as if she had discovered a big secret.

Everyone gathered to observe carefully, believing the woman's theory to be plausible. So, Zhang Hao placed the three keys into the slots, one by one, in the order they were arranged. Instantly, the keys shone brightly, a light as dazzling as the sun, illuminating the entire square in front of the ruins. The light echoed with the runes on the wall, and the runes' glow grew stronger, as if enthusiastically responding to the power of the keys. The gate to the ruins slowly opened with a dull roar, and an ancient and mysterious aura filled the air. That aura carried the vicissitudes of time, as if blowing from the depths of history, inspiring awe.

Behind the door was a long passage, its walls inlaid with luminous crystals. These crystals varied in size and shape, but all emitted a soft, bright light, illuminating the passage as bright as day. As they walked along the passage, their footsteps echoing through the air, their hearts filled with both anticipation and a subtle apprehension. They yearned for the secrets at the end of the passage, yet feared the unknown dangers.

At the end of the passageway lay a vast circular hall. The floor was paved with smooth marble, intricately carved with patterns, resembling a vast formation. In the center of the hall stood a stone platform, upon which rested an ancient tome emitting a soft glow. The cover, crafted from an unknown material, was engraved with ancient characters that seemed to come alive, pulsing subtly in the light. As the group approached the platform, the tome suddenly opened, and a beam of light emanated from the pages, forming an ethereal figure in mid-air.

The figure was dressed in an ancient robe, the edges of which were embroidered with golden patterns, gleaming mysteriously in the light. His face was kind yet dignified, like a wise man who had experienced many hardships. His eyes were deep and calm as he looked at the crowd and slowly spoke: "Brave adventurers, you have gone through great difficulties to obtain three keys and unlock these long-forgotten ruins. This ancient book records a powerful power that can save this continent or bring destruction. I give you the power to choose. Will you use this power to protect the world or take it for your own selfish desires? Everything depends on your decision..." His voice was as loud as a bell, echoing in the hall, and every word seemed to weigh as heavy as a thousand pounds, striking the hearts of the crowd.