Using this force, Xiao Yan performed a beautiful flip in the air, his body tracing a smooth arc.
Then, it steadily adjusted its gliding posture, and the wings on its back found the optimal angle to face the wind again.
The two enormous fiery wings were tilted slightly, with the wingtips pointing upwards, forming a perfect angle between the wing surface and the airflow.
Xiao Yan could clearly feel the lift generated when the air glided over the surface of his wings. Although that force was not enough for him to truly soar, it was enough to support him to glide for a considerable distance.
His figure flashed and twisted in mid-air, using the reaction force of the Netherworld Lock to rise again, soaring to a height of tens of feet, overlooking the entire plain.
Each dive was accompanied by Thunderous Might force, its fiery wings leaving long trails of fire as it swooped down, resembling a shooting star falling from the sky;
Each ascent was filled with a sense of power, the chains and wings worked together more and more seamlessly, and the transitions between movements became increasingly fluid and natural.
Although he couldn't achieve true free flight, the brief periods of hovering and gliding achieved through strength and skill brought him a long-lost sense of exhilaration.
In the following attempts, Xiao Yan constantly adjusted the timing and intensity of releasing the Netherworld Lock, like a persistent craftsman honing his skills again and again.
He discovered that the more unpredictable the angle at which the Netherworld Lock was released, the more significant the change in direction it produced;
The closer the timing of the release is to the rhythm of the flapping of the wings behind, the more energy is saved.
Every attempt brings new insights, and every failure exposes new problems, but he enjoys it immensely and is completely immersed in this process of constantly breaking through his own limitations.
In sync with the rhythm of the flapping of his wings, he was able to change direction and climb continuously in mid-air.
When making a sharp left turn, he only needs to slightly fold his right wing and simultaneously throw the Netherworld Lock to the right, and his body can complete the turn with a very small radius;
As he climbed to the right, he fully extended his left wing, used the Netherworld Lock to strike downwards, and used the force to leap upwards several feet. These movements initially seemed somewhat awkward and deliberate, but with repeated practice, they gradually became smooth and natural, as if they were his innate instinct.
His figure traced fiery trails across the sky, some straight as arrows, some curved like snakes, some spiraled, and some undulated like waves. Each trail represented an attempt, and each attempt left a brief mark in the air.
The colors of blue and white intertwined and flowed. The Bone Spirit Cold Flame on the left wing was pure white, radiating a chilling aura and leaving streaks of white Frost Mark in the air; the Green Lotus Core Flame on the right wing was a vibrant blue-green, bursting forth with scorching heat and leaving a trail of blue flames in the sky. The two colors chased and Entanglement in the sky, like a magnificent painting with the sky as its canvas. Lin Wan'er, in the distance, looked up, somewhat mesmerized. She had never seen anyone paint such a splendid scene in the sky.
Xiao Yan slowly descended from the sky, his fiery wings gently folding back. The enormous wings folded little by little, gradually shrinking from a wingspan of three zhang (approximately 10 meters) until they were tightly pressed against his back, like two burning cloaks. When he landed, his feet firmly touched the grass, his knees slightly bent to cushion the impact of the fall, and the soil beneath his feet was tamped into two shallow depressions.
Finally, the two enormous fiery wings transformed into two tiny flames, which danced twice on his back before obediently disappearing into his palm. A slight warmth remained in his palm, the lingering warmth of the Heavenly Flames Martial Soul, like a docile child being affectionate.
A fine layer of sweat glistened on his forehead under the sunlight. A few strands of hair, damp with sweat, clung to his temples and brow. His breathing was slightly rapid, his chest rising and falling noticeably with each breath, and his exhaled breath was hot.
Clearly, the series of aerial maneuvers he had just performed had consumed a tremendous amount of Soul Power and physical strength. Maintaining the Flaming Wings required a continuous output of Soul Power, and the high-intensity changes of direction and ascents amplified this consumption many times over. Coupled with the continuous release of the Netherworld Lock, each strike required a massive amount of power. The combined effect left him feeling somewhat fatigued, even with his current Soul Power reserves comparable to Dou Emperor. His limbs were slightly sore, and nearly 30% of his Soul Power had been depleted. In a real battle, this rate of consumption would require careful management.
But his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, his dark pupils gleaming with excitement like two ignited stars. An irrepressible smile graced his face, the curve of his lips impossible to suppress—a pure, heartfelt joy. This joy didn't stem from any tangible benefit, but from the sense of accomplishment of breaking through his own limitations, from the satisfaction of seeing his efforts rewarded.
"Although I still can't fly, at least I can stay in the air for a short time. In the future, if I encounter a Dou Emperor- level expert, I won't have to worry about them kiting me anymore." Xiao Yan said with a smile. His voice was not loud, as if he was talking to himself, but the joy in his tone was genuine.
He knew perfectly well how immense the advantage of air combat was at the Dou Emperor level. A Dou Emperor capable of flight was practically invincible against an opponent who couldn't—the opponent could launch attacks freely from high above, while the ground-based opponent could only passively defend, with very few opportunities to retaliate. He had suffered greatly from this when fighting powerful individuals with flying abilities before. Now, although these Twin Flame Wings didn't allow him to truly fly, they at least gave him the ability to hover and glide briefly, preventing him from being completely helpless against flying enemies.
These Heavenly Flames Twin Wings were Dou Technique he created himself based on the characteristics of his Martial Soul. From the initial crude wings that couldn't even generate lift, to the Twin Flame Wings that can now assist gliding, provide speed boosts, and even transform into shields in emergencies, he went through countless trials and failures. He carefully analyzed each failure, and every improvement was built upon the foundation of countless previous setbacks. Thinking of this, Xiao Yan felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction—this wasn't a skill learned from someone else, nor an ability gained through luck, but the result of his own step-by-step, down-to-earth exploration.
Having resolved a major issue on his mind, Xiao Yan's mood improved considerably. The gloom that had been weighing on his heart for days dissipated considerably after his exhilarating experience in the air. He let out a long breath, exhaling the last bit of stale air from his chest, then stretched, his bones cracking slightly.
After a short rest with Lin Wan'er, the two ate a simple meal using the dry rations and water they had brought with them. Lin Wan'er handed him a piece of dry bread and poured him a cup of water from her water pouch. Xiao Yan accepted the food, thanked her, and swallowed the bread in a few bites. The exertion he had just experienced was indeed considerable, which had even increased his appetite. During the break, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on the ground, closed his eyes, and regulated his breathing, slowly recovering some of the Soul Power he had consumed. Feeling that his physical condition had returned to its peak, he stood up.