The original work did not feature such a scene, so Mu Qing'er couldn't discern the origin of the white mist for the time being.
"Let's observe for now," Mu Qingyan said within the consciousness space.
Outside, Xin Ci and the others watched the white mist expand, their hearts filled with anxiety but helplessness.
Suddenly, a crisp bell sound chimed from the mist, its source seemingly drawing closer.
Before the bell stopped, a chilling low hum emanated from directly ahead.
This hum seemed to come from within the mist, yet also drifted from afar.
This eerie phenomenon sent shivers down everyone's spines.
Sensing danger, Xin Ci and his companions immediately retreated, attempting to escape the mysterious fog.
But no matter how far they went, the strange mist persisted.
Instead, the humming from ahead grew louder.
Inside the consciousness space, Mu Qing'er felt as though she were there, goosebumps erupting all over her.
The scene reminded her of the supernatural urban legends she'd heard on Earth – "ghost walls."
Terrified, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Is this a sinkhole secret realm or a ghost realm? Why does the male lead encounter blood corpses or ghost walls the moment he enters?"
What followed was even more unsettling. After the low hum, the sounds of suonas, gongs, and other celebratory instruments joined in.
Slowly, emerging from the eerie mist ahead, was a procession. They were a group of people dressed in bright red, carrying a coffin tightly wrapped in white gauze.
Numerous talismans were stuck to the surface of the coffin.
A heavy aura of death and blood filled the air.
Those in front, playing the gongs and drums, had pale faces and entirely black eyes, devoid of whites.
Their limbs were stiff, and they moved mechanically, striking the instruments before the coffin with a dazed apathy.
Both Mu Qing'er in the consciousness space and Xin Ci and the others outside shivered uncontrollably upon seeing them.
"This is..."
At this moment, Lin Yan'er, one of the more timid members of the group, trembled in fear.
The others, witnessing the spectacle, also felt a chill run down their spines, a wave of revulsion washing over them.
Xin Ci attempted to probe the gong and drum players with his soul force, only to find they possessed no life signs.
In other words, they were already dead.
What's more, the eight individuals carrying the coffin were the blood corpses they had encountered earlier.
Corpse carriers and dead musicians!
The sight left Xin Ci and his companions profoundly shaken.
Mu Qing'er, in the consciousness space, was so terrified she felt like a cat with all its fur standing on end.
"My goodness, what on earth are these things!"
Such a scene, such a sight, she had encountered a few times in TV dramas or novels from her past life. But this level of horror, this bone-chilling dread, was something she was experiencing for the first time.
Especially seeing those carrying the coffin and playing instruments were all dressed in red. Mu Qing'er's heart pounded even faster.
It brought to mind the "Uncle Ying" films she used to watch, which featured similar scenes.
However, those were the "red and white twin evils," while this was just one procession.
And despite carrying a coffin, they were dressed in red, playing festive music, creating a seemingly joyous atmosphere.
This left Mu Qing'er bewildered, unsure if it was a red or white evil.
Regardless, the feeling was overwhelmingly potent.
Outside, Xin Ci and the others were utterly terrified by these sudden apparitions.
They had never anticipated encountering such bizarre phenomena.
The moment the coffin appeared, Elder Han's pupils widened drastically.
Seemingly understanding something, his face grew somber, and he quickly transmitted his voice, "Not good, this coffin is problematic. Stay away!"
Mu Qing'er's expression also turned extremely grim.
This coffin was undoubtedly peculiar!
She could sense that the owner of the coffin was not truly dead.
Even without Elder Han's warning, Xin Ci realized the situation was dire, but trapped in the mist, they had no means of escape.
As the eerie procession drew closer, Liu Fuyao and Li Jianxing drew their weapons, ready for battle.
This strange mist was likely caused by these corpse carriers.
To escape, they would have to defeat them.
Their instincts told them that the mysterious coffin carried by the corpses was the source of control for these dead bodies.
Under their watchful eyes, the corpse carriers slowly approached, bearing the mysterious coffin.
Thus, Li Jianxing and Liu Fuyao struck first.
Sword light flashed, and a series of attacks landed on the mysterious coffin.
However, the mysterious coffin remained utterly intact, suffering no damage.
"Not good, this mysterious coffin is no ordinary coffin!" Liu Fuyao stated gravely, his tone certain.
Li Jianxing's expression shifted slightly. "Everyone, retreat! That coffin is highly likely to be an evil entity! Do not approach it!"
Hearing Li Jianxing's words, Liu Mu Ming and the others quickly backed away.
They dared not rashly approach the strange, mysterious coffin.
"No way, is that coffin really an evil entity?" Mu Qing'er exclaimed in the consciousness space.
She had just sensed that Li Jianxing and Liu Fuyao's attacks seemed to be blocked by some power, failing to harm the mysterious coffin.
Perhaps their attacks had disturbed the procession.
"Roar!"
"Hiss!"
Sharp, piercing cries erupted. The dead bodies exuded a dense, chilling aura, and the sounds of gongs and drums grew even more desolate.
These sounds made Xin Ci and the others' scalps tingle, their hearts racing.
A suffocating sense of danger spread through their chests.
Elder Han transmitted a warning, "Xin Ci, absolutely do not let that coffin get close. I suspect it seals a Nether Race member!"
Since moments ago, Elder Han had been probing the coffin with his soul force.
He detected it was filled with a vast and sinister nether energy, posing a threat no less than the wet ghost from Fengyang Mountain.
Nether Race!
Xin Ci and Mu Qing'er in the consciousness space were simultaneously astonished.
Especially Mu Qing'er, who had dealt with a wet ghost Nether Race member at Xuanyang Palace a year ago.
However, the Nether Race member from Xuanyang Palace was merely a soul body, whereas this one still retained its physical form.
To deal with it effectively would require Xin Ci, the main personality, to lose consciousness, allowing her to switch bodies for a chance to fight.
"Could the coffin contain the Blood Ghost Nether Race from the original work?"
Mu Qing'er secretly speculated.
According to the original timeline, in two years, a Heavenly Venerate level Blood Ghost would break through the seal of the sinkhole secret realm.
This would bring immense disaster to the Four Symbols Academy. Although they would eventually defeat it, with Xin Ci and the Academy's Dean working together, this Blood Ghost had nearly devoured all the inhabitants of Tianyuan City.
If it truly was that Blood Ghost Nether Race, then it would be quite troublesome!
However, the male lead at this point in time had no knowledge of this.