You Can't Fix This

I flew through the open terrains, even through the thick poisonous fog and deadly quagmire creatures I was undefeated. I was in my element, and soon was able to see a few cultivators that had taken the longer path. I moved past them at blinding speed and made even more distance. Continuing ahead while checking the map.

There didn't seem to be any other shortcuts ahead until we reach the red cities.

Looking at the map again I realized the cruelty of this race.

There was actually one shortcut, it was very dangerous, and very deadly, and would seem completely useless to take.

The last three red cities, all cultivators needed to take flags from to pass, but there was a condition in the race, you only need to have all the flags, that doesn't mean that you need to have your flags.