The guide proceeded to take them further and further away from the entrance and deeper into the vault. They passed by luminous gardens, vast swamps and distant seen oceans. filled to the brim with rare herbs, precious plants, and more. An artificial sun hung in the sky, as Gu Zhi could feel its warmth on his skin.
'I wonder how they make all of this. This entire palace seems crazy, like a small little world separated from everything else. I wonder if the creator ever lived here, and what was their favorite part'.
They traveled longer and longer until Gu Xiao was wondering what would warrant them traveling this far, until they arrived in front of a lone flower. Gu Xiao was instantly memorized, it was the most beautiful thing she has ever seen in her life.
"This is the flower of life... plant it wherever you want, it will never wither until you lose your life. To bond it to yourself all you have to do is touch it. A life for a life, should you ever die the flower will take your place" the guide said.
"Thank you" Gu Xiao said as she scooped it up into her hands, treating it like a precious little baby. She had a sincere smile on her face, as she played with its petals, smelled its aroma and enjoyed its beauty.
"What does it look like" Gu Zhi asked.
"It looks like nature took every beauty it had and planted it all in one seed" Gu Xiao said with a smile on her face.
'It's like nature is taking my girl by giving her a nice flower' Gu Zhi laughed to himself at the thought.
"Now let's move on to another vault" The guide said.
They took their time slowly moving out the vault. Gu Xiao had to lead Gu Zhi by the hand over meadows and past rivers to find their way outside of the vault. Again they moved through corridors until they stopped at one that looked no different from the rest.
The guide opened the vault revealing what was bookshelf after bookshelf as she waved them inside.
"This is our library, you can chose one technique from here, I am however aware of your disability if you want you can ask for my recommendation" the guide said.
"That would be perfect, I am looking for a blood technique that would be suited to me" Gu Zhi said in a gentle voice.
"Of course I know just the technique, I think it will serve you well" the guide said as a book suddenly appeared in their hand.
"This technique is called the blood transformations art, it is an art were you can assume a different form of a blood related entity. It is known for its high combat capabilities and can be used as both a combat and a cultivation technique" the guide said.
"How can it be used as a cultivation technique" Gu Zhi asked.
"In some ways you can permanently change your body to your desires. You can also change your qi and to a minor effect your soul as well. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone as the skill celling is quite high. Only those with a very strong talent in the blood element can make the most effective use out of the technique" the guide said.
"Then I will take your advice and choose this technique" Gu Zhi said.
"Excellent, should I prepare a brail version for you to use" the guide said with understanding.
"Umm, would it be to much to ask for a brail and a written version?" he asked.
"Not at all, I will hand both versions to you now" she said as she brought out another book from nowhere. She gently handed both of them to Gu Zhi before saying "now let's move on to your final reward. Due to you having the best induvial performance we have seen in a while we have prepared for you a very special reward."
She moved deeper into the library as Gu Xiao took his hand to follow her. They moved past books and passage ways until they reached the center of the library. Surrounded by statues and books lay a clear white orb sitting on a pillow on top of a pedestal.
"Place your hand on the orb and tell no one what you see" she said ambiguously.
He did as he was told, his wife guided him by the hand and he placed it on top of the orb.
"*Gasp*".
He was taken aback as words started to appear in his mind, forcing there way in until they completed a full book in his mind. Like the orb didn't care about him at all, it shoved more and more information inside of him.
'It's a technique' he thought to himself.
He kept reading it and deciphering it until he went pale from shock. It was a soul technique.
"Are you alright" Gu Xiao asked him.
"I'm fine, just surprised at what I saw" he said.
"You won't be able to tell others what you saw, even if you tried to" the guide warned him. As she seemed dead serious about him not spreading the technique at all.
"Of course, I won't tell a soul" Gu Zhi responded.
"Good than that concludes your rewards and thus the trials have ended. Would you like to be sent back to love city or back to your world".
"Love city" they both said in unison.
The guide then clapped their hands and then were suddenly back in love city.
"Ughhh, I don't think these were the rewards the clan was hoping for." Gu Zhi stated as they started to regain their bearings.
"You're probably right, It looks like the only thing we can sell is copies of your blood technique. Well and maybe the ambrosia. They will obviously test us with truth crystals, and what not. I doubt we can hide everything, I almost guarantee if we give some of the ambrosia away the clan will feel like our investments were worth it" she said.
"Oh well, I don't mind sharing some ambrosia, but first we got to get out of here" Gu Zhi stated as they had came back to love city for a reason.