Today, Xiang Shaoyun was no longer seated on Jin Wo's back. Rather, he was flying by himself because he had now shifted his focus to cultivate footwork intent during the journey.
Only through constant practice and study would he increase his comprehension speed. Footwork intent was an intent that could enhance his offensive or fleeing capabilities. He had to give it sufficient training.
Devouring Ghost's demonstration had already been imprinted in his mind. Each day, he replayed the scene two times in his mind before attempting to incorporate what he had learned with his footwork, trying to gain more comprehension that way.
With his gift of instincts and visualization, his comprehension of footwork intent deepened little by little each day. Slowly, he neared the first stage of footwork intent, moving like the wind.
In the blink of an eye, two months passed. Xiang Shaoyun had finally comprehended the first stage of footwork intent. At a certain place of wilderness, a faintly discernible figure was running. His speed was ever changing, from fast to slow and slow to fast. He moved left and right in an unpredictable manner, and a series of afterimages were left in all directions, making it hard to pinpoint where his actual body was.
This person was none other than Xiang Shaoyun cultivating his footwork. In fact, he hadn't even used the Overlord's Nine Nether Steps yet. Following him not far away in a leisurely manner was Devouring Ghost. He gasped in astonishment, "Two months, the young master has taken only two months to reach the moving like the wind stage. This comprehension ability is too heaven-defying!"
One ought to know that Devouring Ghost himself had taken a very long time before he finally comprehended footwork intent one day by fluke. Meanwhile, Xiang Shaoyun had only taken two months to understand the essence of footwork intent. It truly surprised Devouring Ghost.
Du Xuanhao was also cultivating with Xiang Shaoyun. He was still in the midst of comprehension and had touched on the edge of footwork intent. However, he had yet to obtain any success with it. It would probably be very hard for anyone to believe that a third-stage King actually had a better comprehension ability than a ninth-stage Emperor.
Looking at Xiang Shaoyun, who had successfully comprehended footwork intent, Du Xuanhao sighed inwardly, The young master is indeed a talent blessed by the heavens. Back then when he had comprehended my saber intent, he hadn't taken long either. And now, he has comprehended footwork intent in such a short period of time. It is truly hard to not admire him.
Finally, Xiang Shaoyun activated his Overlord's Nine Nether Steps. He had already grasped part of the essence of Overlord's Nine Nether Steps to unleash a portion of the footwork's actual power. Now that he was using it together with footwork intent, he reached a truly astonishing speed that was easily comparable to that of a top King.
"Haha, this feels amazing!" Xiang Shaoyun charged into the clouds and ran in the air, his excited voice reverberating everywhere.
He moved faster and faster as his footwork comprehension deepened. At the same time, his comprehension of his Overlord's Nine Nether Steps was also growing.
What if I use the innate purple lightning to power my footwork? Xiang Shaoyun had a sudden idea as he immediately channeled lightning energy into his legs, instantly flooding them with power.
Bzzt! Bzzt!
A burst of lightning energy appeared in the sky before rippling apart like a blooming lotus, presenting a sight of boundless grace. With the support of lightning energy, Xiang Shaoyun's speed increased by about 30 percent, instantly bringing his speed up to a level comparable to a peak King's, stunning both Du Xuanhao and Jin Wo.
"H-has the young master comprehended the shrinking space stage as well?" Du Xuanhao cried out in disbelief.
The shrinking space stage was the second stage of footwork intent. It was massively different from the first stage, granting one an extreme growth of speed.
Devouring Ghost's voice rang out, "No, this is not the shrinking space stage. Rather, the young master has merely deepened his comprehension of the Overlord's Nine Nether Steps. He has finally learned to make use of his unique talent and combine it with his footwork intent, achieving such impressive speed."
Others might not know about the Overlord's Nine Nether Steps, but that was not the case for Devouring Ghost. It was a footwork created by his previous master. When powered by lightning, this footwork could reach a speed comparable to lightning and would not be any slower than those cultivating the power of wind. That was why his previous master had managed to reach the third stage of footwork intent, so close yet worlds apart.
Xiang Shaoyun kept dashing everywhere in the sky, his understanding of the essence of the Overlord's Nine Nether Steps increasing unceasingly. Massive amounts of innate purple lightning converged at the two acupoints in the soles of his feet, surrounding his feet with a large amount of electrical currents that filled them with power. When using the footwork intent in such a state, he had a sensation he had turned into a gust of wind.
Is this how it feels to move like wind and lightning? Wind and lightning working together, aiming for the peak together. A new comprehension suddenly appeared in Xiang Shaoyun's mind.
He was sure that if he continued training in this manner, he would be able to push his footwork intent and Overlord's Nine Nether Steps to the peak. Suddenly, he stopped all movement, the energy around him abruptly erupting.
"The Overlord's Nine Nether Steps can not only increase one's speed, but it can also be used offensively," Xiang Shaoyun roared before lifting his foot and taking one step forward.
Bang!
It was as if the force of the world was gathered at his feet. With one step, thunderclaps rumbled and numerous electrical currents spread outward. Around him, space itself started shaking and twisting, forming a visible depression in the air, showcasing the tyrannical might of the step he had taken.
He took the second step, and as if the God of Thunder was roaring, a massive thunderclap rumbled out. This step was even more powerful than the first. If someone was near Xiang Shaoyun at this moment, they would have probably exploded outright from the impact.
Xiang Shaoyun's aura had reached the peak at this moment. He prepared to take the third step, but he was unable to complete the step no matter what. It was as if a boundless force was trying to prevent him from doing so.
"LET—ME—GO!" Xiang Shaoyun roared. The purple and silver lightning energy around him turned into a roaring dragon, and a lightning tribulation formed in the sky.
Rumble! Rumble!
Six natural lightning bolts shot down from the sky and struck Xiang Shaoyun's body. Instead of causing him any damage, the energy of all six bolts converged at his raised foot, helping him complete the third step.
Bang!
Instantly, the space within tens of meters around Xiang Shaoyun started shaking as if the sky was falling apart, filling any onlookers' hearts with fear. A massive lightning wave spread out, destroying everything in the area.
Sphhlt!
The instant the step was completed, Xiang Shaoyun seemed to have been completely drained of energy. He coughed up a mouthful of blood and started swaying, looking like he was about to fall from the sky. Devouring Ghost, Du Xuanhao, and Jin Wo quickly rushed over.
Devouring Ghost was the first to arrive. He caught Xiang Shaoyun and asked, "Young master, are you fine?"
Xiang Shaoyun stabilized himself, a smile forming on his pale face. "Hehe, I'm fine. I'm doing splendidly!"