Rescue mission

After the familiar sensation of his sight darkening, they drew in light as his surrounding changed. He felt weak spiritual energy in the environment.

He was in a small forest with sparse trees as if had been subjected to Years of deforestation.

With the abnormal speed of golden core cultivation, Eric was able to exit the forest in 3 minutes.

However he saw the silhouette of a bustling city the moment he exited. From the information given by the wolf, He knew his mother was somewhere within, held captive by the Emporium's forces. With a fierce determination, Eric steeled himself for the battles ahead.

____

_Nima city_

Eric navigated the city's winding streets, his senses on high alert. Towering skyscrapers loomed above, casting long shadows that stretched and twisted in the flickering light of holographic advertisements. The air reeked of smoke and desperation.

As he walked, Eric noticed subtle signs of the Emporium's presence. A faint emblem etched into the wall of a dilapidated building, a whispered conversation between hooded figures in a dark alleyway. He knew he was getting close.

Suddenly, a hand reached out from the shadows, grasping Eric's arm with an iron grip. He spun, ready to strike, but a familiar face stared back at him.

"Eric, thank the gods I found you," his friend, Arin, whispered urgently. "I've been searching everywhere. Your mother is being held in the Emporium's mini- headquarters. But we have to be careful – they have eyes everywhere."

Eric's heart raced as looked at Arin, his best friend whom he has lost contact with two years before his father's death.

He didn't expect him to be here and he seems to be aware of his mother's situation.

" Arin.." Eric called out weakling, feeling emotional.

"What? Dude, we better safe your mother now since the Emporium main forces are not around" Arin grinned back while dragging him through the dark.

He led him through the winding streets, avoiding detection by mere inches. They reached the outskirts of the high-rise, a towering monolith of glass and steel.

"We'll need a distraction to get inside," Arin said, eyes scanning the perimeter. "I have an idea. Follow me."

Arin led Eric to a nearby alleyway, where a group of people huddled in the shadows. They nodded at Arin, and Eric recognized the spark of defiance in their eyes.

"Time to create a diversion," Arin whispered, a sly grin spreading across his face.

Arin nodded to the rebels, and they sprang into action. A blast of sound shattered the air, followed by a burst of light that illuminated the dark alleyway. The Emporium's security forces rushed to respond, leaving their posts unmanned.

"Now's our chance," Arin whispered, as he and Eric sprinted toward the high-rise.

They slipped inside, avoiding the chaos erupting outside. Eric's heart pounded in his chest as they made their way deeper into the building, dodging Emporium agents and security drones.

Finally, they reached the detention level, where Eric's mother was being held. Arin worked his lock-picking magic on the cell door, and it swung open with a soft click.

Eric's mother stood, her eyes shining with tears as she saw her son. "Eric, I knew you'd come," she whispered, embracing him tightly.

But their reunion was short-lived, as the sound of approaching guards echoed down the corridor.

"We have to move, now," Arin urged, as he and Eric led Eric's mother out of the cell.