Only upon reaching Transcendent Mortal 8-dan Ethereal Treading realm would one be able to step on thin air and ascend. But even so, this 'flight' would be limited to vertical displacement and was temporary. As such, it couldn't be considered as flight.
True flight would require one's cultivation to be at Half-Saint at minimum!
Beyond the nine dans of a Fighter was Transcendent Mortal.
And beyond the nine dans of a Transcendent Mortal was Saint.
But even a Half-Saint would only be capable of basic flight. The maneuvers would still be severely restricted.
Yet, the person before them was able to walk on air as though there were transparent steps beneath his feet. As though a haughty deity, he stood in the air, inducing immense fear in those that set their eyes on him.
More importantly, that person's aura was so powerful that they couldn't even begin to gauge the limits to his strength. A powerful pressure pressed down on their soul, forcing them to lower their heads in submission.