Confrontation

Warrior's Echo:* A spectral projection of Eric's ancient warrior self, capable of fighting alongside him and amplifying his physical abilities.

"Huh...my warrior self?

Eric did a double take and found truly that the majestic phantom above him, although with obscured face, somehow looked like a matured him adorned in a sleek but powerful ancient golden armour, with a broadsword emitting ancientness.

Eric's voice, now filled with conviction, declared, "I will shatter the illusions, and the truth will be revealed!"

- that

The ancestors of these governments had long ago monopolized the remaining spiritual energy, using advanced technology to mask their true intentions. The Emporium, a shadowy organization, had infiltrated these governments, manipulating them to further their own agenda.

And Eric, Arin, and Eric's mother with a few people who stood for justice were now rebels, fighting against this oppressive system.

The Old man sneered at them, his eyes gleaming with contempt. "You think you can defeat us? We have the technology, the resources, and the power."

Eric smiled grimly. "We have something you don't - the truth."

With a fierce cry, Eric launched himself at the Old man, determined to shatter the Emporium's grip on the world.

Eric charged forward, his Golden Core pulsating with energy. "I'll shatter the government's and Emporium's grip on the world! I'll free the remaining spiritual energy!"

The old man sneered, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity. "You're no match for me, Eric. My blood energy cultivation is beyond your comprehension."

With a swift motion, the old man unleashed a wave of dark energy, augmented by the advanced technology at his disposal. Eric countered with his Golden Core's power, but the old man's attack overwhelmed him. Eric stumbled back, his defenses strained to the breaking point.

Meanwhile, the Warrior's Echo phantom stood guard beside Diana and Arin, its golden glow repelling the Emporium's forces. The phantom's presence seemed to amplify Eric's mother's and friend's abilities, allowing them to hold off their attackers.

Despite being outmatched, Eric refused to yield. He gritted his teeth and launched a fierce counterattack, but the old man's powers proved too great. Eric found himself on the defensive, struggling to survive the relentless assault.

The outcome seemed all but certain: Eric's defeat, and the Emporium's continued stranglehold on the world's spiritual energy. Yet, Eric's determination and the Warrior's Echo phantom's presence hinted at a glimmer of hope...

As Eric fought, he instinctively reached out to the Warrior's Echo phantom, sensing a deep connection to its power. To his surprise, he felt a surge of energy flow from the phantom into his Golden Core. The Warrior's Echo was amplifying his abilities, granting him a temporary boost in strength and resilience.

Emboldened by this newfound power, Eric launched a series of swift and precise strikes, pushing the old man back. The dark energy attacks that once overwhelmed him now seemed more manageable, and he countered with renewed confidence.

Though he hadn't fully explored the Warrior's Echo's capabilities, Eric sensed its vast potential. He felt an insatiable hunger to unlock its secrets, to wield its power against the Emporium's forces.

The old man's eyes narrowed, his expression a mix of surprise and concern. He hadn't anticipated Eric tapping into the Warrior's Echo's energy. For a moment, he faltered, giving Eric an opening to gain the upper hand.

With the Warrior's Echo's power coursing through him, Eric seized the opportunity, unleashing a fierce assault that sent the old man stumbling back. The tide of the battle was shifting, and Eric's determination to shatter the Emporium's grip on the world burned brighter than ever.

Eric's further attack was fierce, but the Old man was no ordinary opponent. He countered with a wave of his hand, unleashing a blast of technological energy from his gloves that sent Eric flying across the rooftop.