Besides a tortuous mud road a tiny wood shed trembled in the rainy wind. The sky was filled with grayish clouds, chiseled by lighting and rocked by thunder.
Inside the shed laid a small child upon a hay bed, covered up by a thick cloth. The little girl was soaked in sweat and shook strenuously.
Besides her sat a honest-looking youth, appearing to be in his twenties. He wore a thick black cloak and had a calming expression, showing a smoothing smile.
Taking out a small flask from his pocket, he gently fed its contents to the child.
"It's alright kid, this secret medicine of mine will fix you up just fine!" the man whispered
with some doubt in his voice.
From his anamnesis, the child laid in front of him was poisoned with a powerful toxin he was unable to identify.
This made Alexander feel somehow ashamed of his skills, yet curious to know more. A physician's path against disease and suffering was a never ending endeavor.
Recording the past day's events, he had found her alone, fainted at the border of a nearby forest from where he was collecting firewood.
There were no signs of a fight or footsteps which could point out how she got there. The little girls seemed to have appeared out of thin air.
At first, he was kind of skeptical, afraid of a potential ambush. Yet, remembering his personal vows, he hesitated to leave the child to her own demise.
With her life held on by a thread, Alexander had no choice but to bring her to this abandoned shed and take out his life-saving secret medicine.
This patient's vitals were just too weak!
Stirring the small bonfire he lit at a dry corner, he silently took out a brown covered book from his bag.
"Earthly Realm's Collectanea of Illnesses and Curses: Rookie Book"
Hours passed as the rain fell down endlessly. Every now and then, water would drop from the leaky roof right into the blaze, making wobbly sounds.
Yet Alexander was oblivious to all this as he read the unremarkable book in absolute silence. In his meditative state, he even failed to perceive a pair of curious eyes piercing at him from behind.
After a long night, the morning breeze passed through the broken window. The sound of deep snoring was interrupted as Alexander woke up all of sudden. He slept while seated in his reading section.
His back was aching terribly as he got up to check on the child who was still deep asleep.
Her condition had improved drastically! The once weak pulse was now vigorous and she had a healthy blush.
The outcome was as expected. Yesterday, he had given her his last vile of a mysterious medicine he found in a cave exploration.
Back when he left his sect, Alexander stumbled upon an abandoned cave adobe while searching for shelter.
Hidden in the end of the tunnel, he actually found an ancient spatial ring! Taking the risk, he scanned its insides with his spirit sense.
The space was quite empty and there was only the book he was currently reading and two vials of medicine.
Coming back to himself after recording those past events, Alexander decided to head out to the woods and hunt for some wild animals.
It was almost afternoon when he finally made it back from the forest. Three rabbit carcasses hung over his shoulder as he slowly walked into the shed.
Expecting to see the little girl laying in the hay bed, Alexander was surprised to find the shed empty!
The only clue left behind was a fist sized medallion where the girl was previously resting. It looked like it was made out of bronze.
At the front was a carving of an ominous mountain Alexander failed to recognize. The backside had the impression "The One Above".
Alexander tried his best to remember any sect or organization that shared semblance to the token's description and decided to just put it away.
Recalling his old memories, Alexander was a bit nostalgic. He hailed from a great sect named Ascension Hall, one of the three monarchs of the Mortal Realm!
From birth, he was a valued member of his lineage, born with Innate Cultivation! His cultivation aptitude was so astounding it was hard to keep trace of his real realm.
Yet from the moment he opened his eyes, Alexander held a great secret in his heart: he had retained some memories from his past life!
Somehow, his former self was so powerful he actually managed to pass on some memories through reincarnation.
However, contrary to other famous reincarnation experts from the realm, his memories were just his impressions and regrets in life! Not a single secret technique or divine skill!
In his past life, Alexander was a great Immortal! Swiping through the land without rivals, he accumulated major wealth and fame. At a relatively young age, he transcended tribulation and shocked the world.
Yet everything in his life was empty. He had separated from his sweetheart earlier on the journey to clear his Heart. Then later on, he could only watch from afar as she withered away, never marrying.
He once obtained a great treasure. At the time, the realm suffered with a spirit plague, afflicting all of the lower cultivators. The said treasure could either be refined into a powerful weapon for himself or grinded up in a spell to cleanse the world from illness.
In his selfishness, Alexander's former self went on to refine his weapon. Yet arriving back at his Immortal Peak, he discovered his most beloved disciple perished to the plague while sneaking out the mountain.
Like so, he remembered many times he was self-centered in his path of cultivation. Never budging, he remained true to this path, achieving greatness.
Having left mortality behind, he was now on par with the Heavenly Mandate. But it was a path without Meaning!
Falling into deep solitude, former Alexander decided to enter reincarnation and live once more as a mortal.
But this time, he would live a different life. A mundane life!