Although Xiaoqing is currently in closed-door cultivation, Li Zhirui can now fly without the aid of any external object.
This is the Imperial Soaring flight that symbolizes cultivators of the Golden Core Realm!
Lower-ranked cultivators need external objects to fly, but those in the Golden Core Realm do not; as long as the mana within their bodies is sufficient, they can fly at will.
The very next day, Li Zhirui left his cave dwelling and walked on the road leaving the city, with lower-ranked cultivators moving aside to avoid offending the newly advanced Golden Core cultivator.
In truth, he could have flown at a low altitude to leave the Immortal City, as many restrictions no longer bound them after reaching the Golden Core Realm.
However, since he had never practiced this method, and was worried about embarrassing himself in front of everyone, Li Zhirui chose to walk instead.