Nine Great Academies!

When Lin Bai challenged his way to the twentieth level, the nine elders guarding Wooden Dummy Alley all changed expressions. Their eyes glittered as they darted about restlessly.

One of the Wooden Dummy Alley elders laughed. "Hahaha, everyone, I have some urgent business to attend to. Sorry for the trouble, but please help me guard Wooden Dummy Alley for a while. I'll be right back."

With that, the elder did not even wait for their answer before flashing away.

"Hey, hey, Fellow Daoist Li, Fellow Daoist Li... Damn it, that guy must be going to notify the elders of the Sword Dao Institute."

"It wasn't easy for someone to reach the twentieth level of Wooden Dummy Alley. A disciple with such potential—and a sword cultivator at that—the Sword Dao Institute definitely won't be able to sit still now."

One elder cursed under his breath.

"Everyone, I also have some urgent business..."

"What a coincidence. I have something to attend to as well."

"Looks like everyone has business to handle now. Let's see who's fast enough!"

The elders whispered among themselves, then transformed into streaks of afterimages and shot off in all directions.

These nine elders of Wooden Dummy Alley actually all had impressive backgrounds.

Why did Wooden Dummy Alley have nine paths in total?

Why not eight, or seven? Why exactly nine?

Because the nine paths of Wooden Dummy Alley happened to allow the Nine Great Academies of Divine Relic Ridge to dispatch nine elders to guard them.

Of course, these elders did not hold high positions within the Nine Great Academies. They were considered low-ranking elders.

Their fundamental purpose in guarding Wooden Dummy Alley was to help the Nine Great Academies search for geniuses.

Take He Qian, for example. The elder of Wooden Dummy Alley whom He Qian had