Once
Ryu took a breath and closed his eyes.
"One time. I will allow it once."
Regardless of who it was, at this moment, as the words Dao Lord echoed, only Ryu dared to speak at all. Of all the countless geniuses, he was also the only one who even thought to speak, let alone do it. But what was most shocking of all were the words he said, words that maybe others could guess the meaning of, but only he knew of the intent with any certainty.
When Ryu opened his eyes once more, he found that his position had been elevated above the ground and he had been placed on the starry road. All around him, he could see and sense geniuses who had experienced the very same thing.
It was clear that this second phase would be far different from what it had been in the past. If Ryu was correct, the goal was to make it to the Dao Lord's Inheritance, but along the way, they would have to prove themselves by being acknowledged by the Inheritances of others.