How to Fly in Where Winds Meet (March 2026) Complete Lightness Skills Guide
Flying through the skies of ancient China is one of the most exhilarating experiences in Where Winds Meet, and mastering the Lightness Skills system is absolutely essential for any player who wants to traverse this massive open world like a true wuxia martial artist. After spending countless hours testing every flight mechanic since the global launch, I can tell you that understanding these skills will completely transform how you explore, quest, and dominate in combat.
The freedom of soaring across mountain peaks, gliding over rivers, and landing gracefully on rooftops isn’t just about looking cool it’s a game-changing mobility advantage that opens up previously inaccessible areas and dramatically speeds up your progression. But here’s the catch: flying isn’t unlocked by default, and there’s a complex system of requirements you need to understand before you can take to the skies.
In this comprehensive guide, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about the four Lightness Skills, how to unlock each one, the regional restrictions you’ll face, and the fastest methods to start flying in every region of Where Winds Meet.
Understanding Lightness Skills in Where Winds Meet
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Lightness Skills | 4 (Meteor Flight, Thousand-Mile Flight, Fan Glider, Wind Rider) |
| Region Requirement | Exploration Level 4 + Afterglow Pendant (per region) |
| Controls | Hold Jump button (Space/X/A) |
| Active Skills | Only 1 can be equipped at a time |
| Functionality | All provide same flight capability, different animations |
Lightness Skills are specialized Movement Mystic Arts that enable your character to perform incredible aerial maneuvers, from basic gliding to full-powered flight across vast distances. These aren’t just cosmetic abilities—they’re essential traversal tools that become available as you progress through Where Winds Meet’s exploration systems.
What makes this system unique is that each of the four Lightness Skills offers the exact same flight functionality, meaning your choice comes down entirely to visual preference and how you want your character to look while soaring through the air. Whether you prefer the aggressive spear-driven Meteor Flight or the elegant fan-based gliding style, you’ll cover the same distances and reach the same heights.
The critical thing to understand upfront: Lightness Skills are region-locked. Even after unlocking a skill, you can’t use it freely until you’ve gained permission in each specific region by reaching Exploration Level 4 and claiming that region’s keepsake item.
How Flying Actually Works in Where Winds Meet?
The mechanics of flying in Where Winds Meet are surprisingly intuitive once you understand the system. Here’s exactly how it works:
- Equip a Lightness Skill – Navigate to Develop > Abilities > Mystic Arts menu, then select the Movement tab. Choose your preferred Lightness Skill and set it as active.
- Press and Hold Jump – Once in open terrain, press your jump button once to leave the ground, then continue holding it. This triggers your equipped Lightness Skill instead of a normal jump.
- Execute Timing Prompts – During flight, you’ll see four timing prompts appear at the bottom of your screen. Press the jump button at each prompt to maximize your flight duration and distance. You don’t have to hit all four—releasing early makes you land sooner.
- Control Your Direction – Use your movement controls while holding jump to steer through the air. You can adjust your trajectory mid-flight to reach specific destinations.
- Land Safely – Simply release the jump button or let the skill complete its full cycle. Your character will descend and land automatically with no fall damage.
Pro tip: The timing mini-game isn’t just cosmetic. Hitting those prompts perfectly can extend your flight distance by 30-40%, making the difference between clearing a mountain range or having to climb the rest of the way.
All 4 Lightness Skills: Complete Unlock Guide
1. Meteor Flight – The Spear-Driven Launch
Description: “Shooting like a meteor, riding the wind with spear in hand”
Meteor Flight is typically the first Lightness Skill most players unlock during their playthrough. This aggressive flying style launches you high into the air with explosive upward momentum before transitioning into controlled gliding.
How to Unlock Meteor Flight:
- Complete the Afterglow Jianghu Legacy quest (5th quest in the Jianghu Legacy tab)
- Location: Find the fisherman NPC named Kui Yuehai near Witherwilds lake in Qinghe
- Alternative Method: Reach 4,000 Qinghe Exploration Points and claim it as a reward (no quest required)
Step-by-Step Unlock Process:
- Open your Journal and navigate to the Jianghu Legacy tab
- Select “Afterglow” (5th quest on the list—you don’t need to complete previous quests first)
- Travel to the marked location near Moonveil Mountain to find a fisherman by a pond
- Speak with him to receive a demonstration of Meteor Flight
- You’ll automatically fly to the beach near Blissful Retreat where the fisherman reappears
- Complete his jumping challenge by hopping across floating wine jars to reach his boat
- Claim the Meteor Flight skill scroll and Long Spear from the boat
- Note: You won’t be able to use it freely yet—you still need the Afterglow Pendant
Why Choose Meteor Flight: This skill offers the most dramatic visual presentation with its explosive launch. Perfect for players who want an aggressive, powerful-looking flight style that matches combat-oriented builds.
2. Thousand-Mile Flight – The Dragon Soar
Description: “The loong soars through the sky, leaving traces over a thousand miles”
Thousand-Mile Flight is hands-down the easiest Lightness Skill to obtain early in the game. This elegant flying style mimics the graceful movements of a Chinese dragon (loong) soaring through clouds.
How to Unlock Thousand-Mile Flight:
- Simply log into Where Winds Meet for 4 consecutive days
- Claim it from the Warrior’s Journey reward track (Day 4 reward)
- No exploration requirements, no quests, no combat needed
Step-by-Step Unlock Process:
- Play Where Winds Meet for four separate days (doesn’t need to be consecutive, but day 4 login is when it unlocks)
- Click the book icon at the top of your main menu to access Warrior’s Journey
- Navigate to the Welcome/Warrior’s Journey rewards tab
- Locate the Day 4 milestone reward
- Claim Thousand-Mile Flight skill scroll
- Open Skills > Mystic Arts > Movement tab to confirm it’s available
- Set it as your active Lightness Skill if desired
Why Choose Thousand-Mile Flight: For many players, this becomes their go-to flight style due to its smooth, flowing animation. The dragon-inspired movement feels incredibly authentic to wuxia films and perfectly captures that “soaring through the heavens” fantasy.
3. Fan Glider – The Graceful Wanderer
Description: “With a fan in hand, one roams across the mountains, free and unbound”
Fan Glider represents a mid-to-late game Lightness Skill that requires dedicated exploration of the Qinghe region. This refined flying technique uses a folding fan as your aerial tool, creating one of the most visually distinctive flight styles.
How to Unlock Fan Glider:
- Reach Qinghe Exploration Level 5 (Widely Acclaimed status)
- Earn 6,000 Qinghe Exploration Points
- Claim it from the Exploration Rewards screen
Step-by-Step Unlock Process:
- Focus on exploring Qinghe region thoroughly—discover locations, open chests, complete side quests, defeat world bosses, and interact with Curiosities
- Check your Exploration Progress by opening the map and clicking the level indicator in the bottom-left corner
- Continue activities until you reach Level 5 (6,000 points total)
- Open the Qinghe Exploration rewards interface
- Navigate to the Level 5 reward tier
- Claim Fan Glider along with other rewards (Echo Jade, materials, etc.)
- Verify it appears in your Movement Mystic Skills list
Why Choose Fan Glider: This skill appeals to players who prefer elegant, refined aesthetics. The fan-based flight animation is perfect for characters built around grace and precision rather than raw power.
4. Wind Rider – The Ultimate Freedom
Description: “Riding the wind through emptiness, untouched by the mortal world”
Wind Rider is the final and most difficult Lightness Skill to unlock, representing mastery of Qinghe exploration. This transcendent flying style embodies the wuxia concept of complete freedom from earthly bonds.
How to Unlock Wind Rider:
- Reach Qinghe Exploration Level 6 (Renowned Around status)
- Earn 9,000 Qinghe Exploration Points (maximum for Qinghe)
- Claim it from the Exploration Rewards screen
Step-by-Step Unlock Process:
- After obtaining Fan Glider, continue comprehensive Qinghe exploration
- Complete remaining side quests, dungeons, world bosses, and collect all Curiosities
- Reach the maximum Exploration Level 6 (9,000 points)
- Open the Qinghe Exploration rewards panel
- Navigate to the Level 6 reward tier
- Claim Wind Rider as your final Qinghe exploration reward
- Set it as active in your Mystic Skills menu if you want the ultimate flight animation
Why Choose Wind Rider: This represents the pinnacle of Lightness Skills aesthetically. Players who invest the time to unlock it are rewarded with the most mystical, ethereal flight animation that truly makes you feel like you’ve transcended mortal limitations.
The Afterglow Pendant: Your Flight Permission
Here’s the frustrating truth that catches every new player: unlocking a Lightness Skill doesn’t mean you can fly freely. You’ll discover this the first time you try to use your newly acquired Meteor Flight and get hit with a black screen and a message saying you need “faction permission.”
This is where the Afterglow Pendant system comes in—the most critical component of flying in Where Winds Meet that many guides gloss over.
What is the Afterglow Pendant?
The Afterglow Pendant is a special keepsake item that grants you permission to use Lightness Skills within a specific region. Think of it as a flying license that’s region-locked—you need a separate pendant for each major area of the game world.
How to Get Your First Afterglow Pendant?
Requirement: Reach Qinghe Exploration Level 4 (Bonafide Hero status)
Exploration Points Needed: 4,000 points
Step-by-Step Process:
- Explore Qinghe thoroughly – This is non-negotiable. You need to actively engage with the region’s content.
- Activities that grant Exploration Points:
- Discovering new locations (fast travel points, landmarks, hidden areas)
- Opening treasure chests (common, rare, and legendary chests)
- Completing side quests and Jianghu Legacy missions
- Defeating world bosses and elite enemies
- Clearing outposts and bandit camps
- Interacting with Curiosities (environmental objects)
- Completing Fragment Chapter puzzles
- Finishing campaign objectives in the region
- Check your progress – Open your map and look for the level indicator in the bottom-left corner showing your current Exploration Level
- Claim the Pendant – Once you hit Level 4, open the Exploration Rewards interface and claim the Afterglow Pendant from the Level 4 reward tier
- Equip it – The pendant automatically enables flight in Qinghe once claimed (you don’t manually equip it in a gear slot despite what some guides say)
Important Note About Regional Restrictions
This is crucial: Every major region in Where Winds Meet has its own Afterglow Pendant (or equivalent keepsake). When you move from Qinghe to Kaifeng, for example, you’ll lose access to your Lightness Skills until you reach Exploration Level 4 in Kaifeng and claim that region’s flight permit.
Your unlocked Lightness Skills themselves remain unlocked forever—you just need regional permission to use them. This system encourages thorough exploration of each area rather than flying over content.
Fastest Methods to Reach Exploration Level 4
Based on my testing, here are the most efficient strategies to hit that critical 4,000 Exploration Points threshold:
Priority Activities (Highest Point Values):
- Complete all available side quests – Each quest grants 50-150 points depending on complexity
- Defeat world bosses – Major bosses can award 200-300 points each
- Clear Fragment Chapter puzzles – These multi-step puzzles give substantial rewards
- Find and open all treasure chests – Legendary chests are worth significantly more than common ones
Efficient Farming Routes:
Early Game Focus (Hours 1-5):
- Follow main story quests until you reach Qinghe fully
- Complete the Afterglow quest chain immediately (this starts your Lightness Skill journey)
- Discover all fast travel points (Boundary Stones) in the starting areas
- Clear every outpost you encounter—they’re quick and rewarding
Mid-Game Push (Hours 5-10):
- Tackle side quests in Moonveil Mountain and Blissful Retreat areas
- Farm treasure chest locations (use interactive maps if needed)
- Complete easier Fragment Chapters
- Defeat world bosses at your level range
Final Sprint (Hours 10-15):
- Hunt down remaining Curiosities
- Explore remote areas you’ve been avoiding
- Complete challenging Fragment Chapters with good guides
- Revisit areas to find missed chests and locations
Time Investment Reality: Most players reach Exploration Level 4 naturally in 12-18 hours of gameplay if they explore thoroughly. Speed runners focusing exclusively on exploration can hit it in 8-10 hours.
How to Use Lightness Skills?
Basic Flight Controls
PC Controls:
- Activate Flight: Hold Spacebar while in air
- Timing Prompts: Press Spacebar at each visual cue
- Direction: WASD keys while holding Spacebar
- Cancel Early: Release Spacebar
Controller Controls (PlayStation/Xbox):
- Activate Flight: Hold X (PlayStation) or A (Xbox) button
- Timing Prompts: Press X/A at each visual cue
- Direction: Left stick while holding X/A
- Cancel Early: Release X/A
Advanced Flight Techniques
Technique #1: Chain Flying from Heights
Start your flight from elevated positions like cliffs, towers, or mountains. You’ll maintain altitude longer and can trigger a second flight cycle mid-air if you time it right, essentially doubling your travel distance.
Technique #2: Combat Flight Repositioning
During boss fights, you can use Lightness Skills to quickly disengage from dangerous close-range attacks and reposition for ranged follow-ups. This is especially effective against ground-based enemies who can’t follow you into the air.
Technique #3: Exploration Sequence Flying
When exploring vertically-designed areas, use your flight to reach high platforms, then glide down systematically to discover hidden chests and Curiosities on lower levels. This top-down exploration method is more efficient than climbing repeatedly.
Technique #4: Perfect Timing for Maximum Distance
The four timing prompts aren’t optional if you want to maximize distance. Missing even one prompt reduces your total flight range by approximately 25%. Practice the rhythm—it’s consistent across all four Lightness Skills.
Regional Flight: What Happens When You Travel?
One of the most confusing aspects of Where Winds Meet’s flight system is how it handles region transitions. Let me break down exactly what you need to know:
When You Enter a New Region Without Exploration Level 4:
- Your Lightness Skills become temporarily disabled
- Attempting to use them shows a message about “faction restrictions”
- You can still use basic movement (jumping, dashing, climbing)
- You must earn that region’s keepsake before flying works again
Regions and Their Keepsakes:
| Region | Keepsake Name | Required Exploration Level | Points Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qinghe | Afterglow Pendant | Level 4 (Bonafide Hero) | 4,000 |
| Kaifeng | Flight Permit | Level 4 | 4,000 |
| Future Regions | TBA | Level 4 (estimated) | 4,000 (estimated) |
Strategic Region Exploration Order:
- Qinghe (First Region) – Your tutorial area where you’ll likely unlock your first Lightness Skill and pendant
- Kaifeng (City Zone) – Dense with fast travel points, making Level 4 quicker to achieve
- Additional Regions – As you progress through the story, repeat the same exploration process
Pro Strategy: Don’t stress about 100% completing each region before moving to the next. Focus on reaching Level 4 for flight capability, then return later with better gear to efficiently farm the remaining 2,000-5,000 points for higher-tier rewards like Fan Glider and Wind Rider.
Movement Mystic Skills That Complement Flying
While Lightness Skills handle flight, several other Movement Mystic Skills dramatically enhance your overall mobility in Where Winds Meet. These work alongside your flight capabilities:
Essential Supporting Skills:
Threefold Skywalk
- Unlocks triple jumping (press jump three times in succession)
- Crucial for gaining altitude before triggering flight
- Makes reaching high ledges possible without flight
Skywalk Dash
- Performs forward dash after using Threefold Skywalk
- Adds horizontal momentum before entering flight mode
- Excellent for crossing gaps that don’t warrant full flight
Safe Mighty Drop
- Unlocked by clearing Mysterious Outpost
- Grants immunity to fall damage when landing after Lightness Skill use
- Essential for high-altitude exploration without risking death
Wallstride – Shadowdash & Swiftride
- Enables rapid wall-running and climbing
- Also region-locked like Lightness Skills
- Perfect for navigating vertical city environments like Kaifeng
These complementary skills create a comprehensive mobility toolkit. In practice, I chain Threefold Skywalk into Skywalk Dash, trigger my Lightness Skill at peak height, soar across massive distances, and land with Safe Mighty Drop immunity—all in one fluid sequence.
Common Mistakes Players Make With Lightness Skills
After helping dozens of friends through this system, here are the most common errors I see:
Mistake #1: Ignoring the Afterglow Quest
Many players rush through the main story without doing the Afterglow side quest, then wonder why they can’t fly even though they have Thousand-Mile Flight unlocked from daily rewards. Always complete Afterglow—it’s the tutorial for the entire flight system.
Mistake #2: Not Prioritizing Exploration Level 4
Some players spread their exploration thin across multiple regions instead of focusing on reaching Level 4 in their current region first. Always prioritize getting flight permission before moving on—it makes everything else exponentially easier.
Mistake #3: Missing Timing Prompts
New players often ignore the timing mini-game or don’t realize how much it affects distance. Those four button prompts can literally be the difference between making it to your destination or falling short and having to climb. Practice the timing until it becomes muscle memory.
Mistake #4: Forgetting You Can’t Fly in Towns
Lightness Skills are often restricted in densely populated towns and cities. Using movement skills aggressively in these areas can fill NPC suspicion meters and make you a criminal. Save your flying for open-world exploration.
Mistake #5: Not Experimenting With All Four Skills
Since all four Lightness Skills offer identical functionality, this is purely about aesthetics. Yet many players never try the others after unlocking their first one. Test all four to find your favorite visual style it costs nothing to switch and dramatically affects your immersion.
FAQ
Can I fly immediately after starting Where Winds Meet?
No, flying requires you to unlock at least one Lightness Skill and reach Exploration Level 4 in your current region to obtain the Afterglow Pendant or equivalent keepsake. The fastest possible route is completing the Afterglow quest and reaching 4,000 Exploration Points in Qinghe, which takes most players 12-18 hours of gameplay.
Which Lightness Skill is the best for flying?
All four Lightness Skills (Meteor Flight, Thousand-Mile Flight, Fan Glider, and Wind Rider) provide identical flight functionality in terms of height, distance, and speed. The only difference is visual animation style. Choose based on your aesthetic preference—aggressive spear-style (Meteor Flight), graceful dragon-soar (Thousand-Mile Flight), elegant fan-gliding (Fan Glider), or mystical wind-riding (Wind Rider).
Do I lose my Lightness Skills when entering a new region?
No, you don’t lose the skills themselves. However, your ability to use them is temporarily restricted until you reach Exploration Level 4 in that new region and claim its faction keepsake (like the Afterglow Pendant in Qinghe or Flight Permit in Kaifeng). Your unlocked Lightness Skills remain in your ability list permanently.
How do I increase my Exploration Level quickly?
Focus on these high-value activities: complete all available side quests (50-150 points each), defeat world bosses (200-300 points), discover new locations and fast travel points, open every treasure chest you find (legendary chests give more points), clear outposts and bandit camps, interact with Curiosities, and complete Fragment Chapter puzzles. Systematic exploration of one region at a time is more efficient than jumping between areas.
Can I use Lightness Skills during combat?
Yes! Lightness Skills work perfectly during combat and provide excellent repositioning options. You can trigger flight to quickly escape dangerous close-range situations, create distance for ranged attacks, or reposition behind enemies. The skills have a brief cooldown after landing, but you can use them repeatedly throughout extended fights. This aerial mobility is especially valuable against ground-based bosses.
Is there fall damage when using Lightness Skills?
No, when you land from a Lightness Skill flight, you take zero fall damage regardless of height. Additionally, if you unlock the Safe Mighty Drop movement skill (obtained by clearing Mysterious Outpost), you gain immunity to fall damage even when not actively using Lightness Skills, making high-altitude exploration completely safe.
Can I fly with friends in multiplayer mode?
Yes, all players in your co-op party can use their Lightness Skills simultaneously. However, each player must have unlocked at least one Lightness Skill individually and possess the regional keepsake for the area you’re exploring together. Flying in multiplayer creates spectacular visual sequences when your entire party soars across the landscape in formation.
Do different Lightness Skills use different amounts of stamina?
No, all four Lightness Skills consume the same amount of endurance/stamina and have identical cooldown timers. There’s no gameplay advantage to choosing one over another. If you want to reduce stamina costs, equip the “Wind Beneath Wings” Inner Way, which decreases Movement Mystic Skill endurance costs by 10%.
Can I change which Lightness Skill is active?
Yes, you can freely swap between any Lightness Skills you’ve unlocked at any time. Open your Skills menu > Mystic Arts > Movement tab, select your preferred Lightness Skill, and set it as active. The change takes effect immediately with no cooldown or cost. Many players switch between skills based on their current outfit or role-playing preference.
Are there areas where I can’t fly even with the Afterglow Pendant?
Yes, certain locations restrict Lightness Skills even if you have the proper regional keepsake. Dense towns, cities (especially Kaifeng), and specific quest-restricted zones will prevent flight. Additionally, using movement skills aggressively in populated areas fills NPC suspicion meters and can make you a criminal. Always pay attention to on-screen notifications about Lightness Skill restrictions.
Conclusion
Flying in Where Winds Meet represents one of the most satisfying progression systems I’ve encountered in an open-world RPG. The feeling of earning your wings through exploration, unlocking that first Lightness Skill, and finally soaring freely after reaching Exploration Level 4 creates a genuine sense of accomplishment that few games deliver.
The key to success is understanding the two-part system: first unlock at least one Lightness Skill (I recommend prioritizing Thousand-Mile Flight from the 4-day login or completing the Afterglow quest for Meteor Flight), then focus exclusively on reaching Exploration Level 4 in your current region to claim the Afterglow Pendant or equivalent keepsake.
Don’t spread your exploration thin across multiple regions—concentrate on thoroughly exploring one area at a time until you’ve secured flight permission. Once you can fly freely in Qinghe, the game opens up dramatically. You’ll discover previously inaccessible areas, complete quests more efficiently, and experience the authentic wuxia fantasy of floating through ancient China like a legendary martial artist.
Remember that all four Lightness Skills provide identical functionality, so focus on unlocking your first one quickly rather than worrying about which is “best.” You can always collect the others later and switch based on mood or aesthetic preference.
The investment of 12-18 hours to unlock flight is absolutely worth it. Every hour spent exploring to reach that Level 4 threshold pays massive dividends in the hundreds of hours of gameplay that follow. Master the skies, and you’ll master Where Winds Meet.
For more in-depth Where Winds Meet guides, check out our comprehensive beginner’s guide, weapon tier list, controller settings optimization, and multiplayer guide.
Now get out there and conquer the skies of ancient China—your wuxia legend awaits!