Chapter 762: Black Robe Cultivator

"This is the Time Sand…" Yan Buji exclaimed.

Tu Nuo Duo nodded: "We must take it away quickly, or that group of cultivators will find this place soon."

However, just as they were about to retrieve the Time Sand, a clamor of footsteps suddenly came from outside the mine tunnel. Yan Buji felt his heart tighten, knowing that the mysterious cultivators had already chased after them.

"It's too late, we must leave at once!" Yan Buji whispered.

Tu Nuo Duo swiftly placed the Time Sand into a specially made Jade Box; as the two prepared to leave, the mine entrance had already been blocked by that group of cultivators.

The one leading them was the black‑robed cultivator who had previously captured Tu Nuo Duo; he stared coldly at Yan Buji and Tu Nuo Duo, and said, "I didn't expect you to find this place; that's surprising. However, the Time Sand is not something you can lay a hand on. Hand it over, and I might consider sparing your lives."

Yan Buji sneered, "If you want the Time Sand, then see whether you have the skill for it!"

As the words had not yet fully finished, a flash of cold light flickered in Yan Buji's eyes; he swiftly formed a seal with both hands, muttering incantations. In an instant, dazzlingly bright woven needles shot from his hand like meteors, racing straight toward the black‑robed cultivator.

At the same time, the black‑robed cultivator was unafraid; he let out a cold snort, and a black mist instantly surged around him, enveloping him tightly. Then he raised his hand and flicked, a black light flashing like lightning, colliding violently with the artifact Yan Buji had summoned.

A huge "Bang" sounded, and at the point of impact a massive energy wave burst forth, the surrounding air seeming to be ripped apart. However, this was merely the start of their clash.

Seeing this, Tu Nuo Duo naturally would not stand by. She let out a spirited shout, her graceful figure dancing in the air, her hands continuously forming different techniques. With each movement, green light shot from her fingertips, these greens like lively snakes winding and coiling toward the black‑robed cultivator.

Facing the demonic‑tribe secret art displayed by Tu Nuo Duo, the black‑robed cultivator's complexion changed slightly, but he quickly regained composure. He stamped the ground hard, leapt several zhang backward, and simultaneously hammered his palms, unleashing a series of black palm shadows, attempting to block the incoming green light.

This battle could truly be described as heart‑stopping! Blade Light and sword shadows interlaced and flashed, shouts and clash sounds echoed throughout the mine. Both sides' warriors gave their all, fighting to the death.

As time passed, the mine could no longer bear such massive impact and magical turbulence. The surrounding stone walls began to crack, huge chunks of rock fell from the ceiling, raising clouds of dust. Yet this did not cause either side to retreat even a bit.

Yan Buji moved through the battlefield like a phantom; the Blood Heaven Ascension Degree he wielded was astonishingly powerful. Each strike carried the force of thunder, making the enemy hard to withstand. With his strong Immortal Essence augmenting him, the enemy gradually fell into a passive stance, being pressed back step by step. Yan Buji grew stronger with each fight, as if possessed by a war god, gradually seizing control of the whole battle and firmly gaining the upper hand.

However, what pressed Yan Buji and Tu Nuo Duo down was the sheer number of enemies they faced. Moreover, what made them wary was that each of those foes was a powerful cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage!

As time went on, the fierce battle gradually entered a white‑hot stage. Though Yan Buji and Tu Nuo Duo gave their all, deploying every technique, against so many and so strong opponents they began to feel increasingly outmatched. Each attack seemed to hit a copper wall; even if they could suppress, they could not inflict effective damage. The enemies' counterattacks were fierce, like a raging storm battering them.

At that moment, a rumbling sound came from outside the mine, followed by several powerful auras swiftly approaching. Yan Buji felt a surge of joy, realizing the sect's reinforcements had arrived.

"Hall Master Yan, we have arrived!" Wu Yuan's voice rang from outside the mine.

At that critical moment, the sect's reinforcements rushed onto the battlefield. Their aura surged like a rainbow, their bodies agile, like a wild wind sweeping in. The previously stalemated situation instantly turned upside down due to the addition of these powerful reinforcements.

Seeing this, the black‑robed cultivator inwardly cursed. He knew that continuing the fight would only lead him into a dead end, so he decisively ordered his subordinates to retreat swiftly. With a sweep of his robe sleeve and a muttered incantation, a black light flashed, and he and his group vanished.

On the other side, Yan Buji and Tu Nuo Duo, who had been trapped inside the mine for a long time, felt their spirits instantly lift upon seeing this. They hesitated not, seized the perfect chance, surged forward, broke through the encirclement, and successfully rendezvoused with the arriving Elder Wu.

"Are you both alright?" Wu Yuan asked with concern.

Yan Buji shook his head: "Thank you, Elder Wu, we're fine; the Time Sand is already in our hands."

Wu Yuan nodded: "Well done, we'll return to the sect immediately; Elder Yuan is waiting for you."

After returning to the sect, Yan Buji told Yuan Zhen about his transaction with Tu Nuo Duo; Yuan Zhen also nodded, and did not force Tu Nuo Duo to hand over all the Time Sand.

"This treasure is extremely important, but since the Rabbit Tribe managed to locate it once, perhaps they can do so a second time," Yuan Zhen said, his eyes filled with meaning as he looked at Yan Buji.

Yan Buji nodded: "Understood."

He naturally understood what Elder Yuan meant; a treasure like Time Sand that contains the Law of the Way of the Universe cannot even be distinguished by simple transformation numbers. In fact, the spiritual aura fluctuation emitted by the Time Sand is only at the Fourfold Transformation Spiritual Material grade, yet why do Elder Yuan and the sect value it so highly?

Perhaps the Time Sand is certainly not as simple as it appears.

Thinking of this, Yan Buji pondered for a moment, and instead of rushing to the capital city to visit Tu Nuo Duo, he began to inquire about the true function of the Time Sand.

And that abandoned mine…

Yan Buji hesitated, because earlier, in order to protect the Time Sand and safely return to the Sect Mining Area, he had rushed and had no time for a thorough search; now, seeing that such a treasure could be cultivated here, perhaps there truly is something miraculous about it.

"Let's go back and take another look."

Yan Buji thought it over and still planned to go again, to investigate that abandoned mine.

It doesn't matter if no useful information is found; if he can pick up a few more grains of Time Sand, that's profit as well.