Fang Chen looked at the Realm Master and continued, "Senior, I've already cleared two checkpoints. I came here to challenge the Third Checkpoint. May I?"
The Realm Master nodded slightly. "You may, but unfortunately, the Third Checkpoint has been destroyed."
"Destroyed?"
Fang Chen and Myna bird both froze.
The Realm Master nodded. "Yes. Not just the Third Checkpoint. The Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Checkpoints have all been destroyed! Only the First, Second, Eighth, and Ninth Checkpoints remain in this Secret Realm."
Fang Chen frowned slightly. "What are we supposed to do if the checkpoints in between are gone?"
Myna bird followed up. "Does that mean we can't challenge the final two checkpoints?"
The Realm Master nodded. "Yes. You can only reach the higher checkpoints by clearing the earlier ones and advancing step by step."
"But those checkpoints are gone now. Can't you make an exception, Senior?"
Fang Chen looked at the Realm Master as he asked.
The Realm Master shook his head. "No. The word 'exception' doesn't exist in my rules. I must follow this Secret Realm's Code of Conduct to the letter!"
Myna bird couldn't help saying, "Rules are dead, but people are alive. Besides, the Ancient Heavenly Court created you, and it's been utterly wiped out. Senior, I think you could be a little flexible!"
The Realm Master shook his head again. "I can't. My creators gave me an Absolute Command. The moment I break the rules, this Secret Realm will destroy itself!"
Fang Chen and Myna bird exchanged a glance. Helplessness filled both their eyes.
"Sigh."
Fang Chen let out a soft sigh.
"Let's go," Myna bird said to Fang Chen. "Since there are no checkpoints left for us to challenge here, there's no reason to stay."
"Mm."
Fang Chen nodded and was about to leave