Gu Zhi woke up later to find himself on a bed. At least he thought it was a bed, he had no way to tell other than his 4 remaining senses left.
"I'm here" Gu Xiao said.
"What happened" Gu Zhi asked.
"The guide is waiting until your awake to give us our rewards, she said to met her down in the palace vault when were ready".
'It's finally time to reap what we have sown'.
Gu Zhi got up the best he could, he had to get his wife to come to his side and support him up and guide him along the way. Now blind, he wasn't used to not having his eyesight as well, he turned from the protector into the protected. It would be a lie to say Gu Zhi wasn't sad or upset about this new development, but that was life. If he traded his eyesight for something that could make him even stronger in the long run he would do it again in a heartbeat. Now the problem was getting back to their world and their sect in one piece.
Gu Xiao led him to the elevator where it took them all the way down to the palace vaults as the guide led them along the corridors.
"Due to your exemplary performance, the palace has decided to award each of you 3 suitable rewards tailored to your needs" she said as she stopped right in front of well placed but small vault, it had an aura to it that demanded respect and awe. Obviously Gu Zhi couldn't see it, but he could faintly feel it.
The vault slowly opened to reveal a small golden ring with an insignia on it.
"A ring of heroes, only a few ever made, I won't comment on what it does or what its used for, just know many doors are open to heroes" the guide mysteriously said.
The ring was placed in Gu Zhi's hands, now blind he traced the ring all over his fingers to get a better idea of what it looked like. The insignia seemed to be a lion and sword placed together. As he carefully put the ring on his finger, unsure what else to do with the ring.
'Cool drip I guess' Gu Zhi laughingly thought to himself.
The guide then moved onto the next vault.
The vault was made from dense and solid wood compacted so tightly, Gu Xiao thought people would have more trouble getting into this vault than the other metal vaults.
The vault slowly groaned and creaked as it swung open revealing a vast forest and garden inside like its own separate world.
The guide then walked in like it was nothing and continued forward. Gu Zhi and Gu Xiao followed after the guide until they were in an odd clearing of the woods.
"Your first reward shall be a wood spirit to help you along your journey, make a pact here and call for one. To the ones that respond to your call you may select one as your chosen spirit" the guide said.
"A wood spirit" Gu Xiao whispered in slight shock.
"what's a wood spirit... what do they do".
Gu Xiao ignored him for a while and then said "I'll inform you later" as she moved inside the clearing.
There were roses, weeds, and flowers all surrounding the clearing in a very special way. It was a natural formation, almost as rare as having a wood spirit bonded to you by contract.
Gu Xiao sat down in the lotus position and started to recite a chant.
"Spirit's of wood hear my call, I beseech your wisdom and your help, I wish for a spirit who will be my companion".
The chant ended there as she sat in the circle. She felt many spirits pay her attention some came to look, others to watch a show, some to be of help, and others eager for a new adventure. They all whispered in her ear, some things were total nonsense, others a tempting offer, but there was one that whispered some things she couldn't ignore.
"Speak my name and the contract will be completed" she heard them say.
Gu Xiao suddenly came opened her eyes and spoke something out loud that Gu Zhi couldn't make sense of. Seriously, he heard it, but he doubted he could even say it properly much less remember it or understand it.
A tree root or something that looked like one shot up from the ground and wrapped around Gu Xiao fingers, A sigil was marked on her palm depicting a tree root. Before the root retreated into the ground.
"Congratulations on successfully completing a spiritual pact. Let's move on to your second reward" the guide said.
Unexpectedly they moved deeper into the forest than before until they were at a lush meadow complete with a vibrant river and a majistic tree.
"*Gasp* ITS THE TREE OF YOUTH" Gu Xiao shouted.
"Indeed it is, you are allowed to eat one fruit from this tree" the guide said.
Gu Xiao looked over at Gu Zhi, he could sort of tell he was being looked at because he said "Go ahead I don't mind" to Gu Xiao.
She then plucked a fruit from the tree before devouring the whole thing.
"How does it taste" Gu Zhi asked.
"Very sweet" Gu Xiao responded.
"The fruit from the tree of youth will bring eternal youth to the one who devours it. There lifespan will increase, yet they will still die once it runs out." the Guide stated. "Now let's move on to Gu Xiao's final reward" the guide said as it moved even deeper into the land.