Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Power of Thought is Born!

Song Mu felt rather weary after lying down, but as daylight fully broke, he still rose from bed. The morning is the most precious part of the day. Yet, just after getting up, Song Mu suddenly paused. The moment he finished dressing and was about to tidy the items on his desk, he found himself wondering where his book satchel had gone.

At that very instant, Song Mu sensed a peculiar prompt in his mind, as if whatever he wished to know would present itself. In his thoughts, he became aware of the exact location of his book satchel. He could even clearly picture what was inside, which book rested atop the others, and every detail within.

A cold shiver ran down Song Mu’s spine. Suddenly, he heard his second aunt outside calling for Yaya. Even separated by the door, he could sense his aunt’s position and knew she was holding a water ladle.

It was as though he had become a human radar with x-ray vision—whatever he wished to know, his mind would reveal the circumstances nearby.

Panic flickered through him for a moment, but then a word abruptly surfaced in his mind: Mind Force?

Born from the strength of the mind, able to sense all things—this is Mind Force. The stronger the Mind Force grows, the wider its range.

Song Mu drew in a sharp breath, rooted to the spot in astonishment. He had truly awakened Mind Force? At the level of a mere student, he had gained the Mind Force his ancestors once spoke of!

Clenching his fists in excitement, Song Mu could barely contain his joy. He glanced up at the eaves, where Li Mo’er was still fast asleep, then exhaled softly and carefully slipped out of the room.

After breakfast, Song Mu wasted no time packing his things and hurrying to the county academy. Upon arrival, he clutched the essay he had written the previous night and made for Scholar Sun’s study.

In recent days, Scholar Sun had ceased teaching, focusing entirely on consolidating his knowledge to prepare for the upcoming examinations.

All the students at the academy tacitly agreed not to disturb one another. Song Mu gently called from outside the door before entering.

Scholar Sun, his beard unkempt, looked up at Song Mu and rose to greet him. Upon hearing Song Mu’s purpose, he accepted the essay and treatise Song Mu had written the previous day.

Scholar Sun began reading right there in front of Song Mu. After reviewing the essay, approval flickered across his features. But as he read the treatise, his eyes unconsciously widened. He glanced from the page to Song Mu, clearly impressed.

Song Mu, full of hope, watched him expectantly. He had confidence in the treatise he had crafted the day before.

“Excellent. ‘The rise and fall of the nation concerns every ordinary man’—this is a maxim,” Scholar Sun praised, his tone tinged with admiration. Then he asked, “Young Master Song, did you feel a surge of inspiration when composing this essay yesterday?”

Song Mu nodded, and Scholar Sun looked even more moved.

“As I thought. With such lines, fluent exposition, and a perfectly chosen theme—this treatise, even at your age, I could never have matched,” Scholar Sun declared, prompting Song Mu to bow in humility.

“You flatter me, senior. I was indeed moved by emotion yesterday, which is why I wrote this piece and brought it to you so early for your review.”

“Haha, your diligence shows. To write such an essay reveals that you truly felt something in your heart. Henceforth, you can be more confident in tackling treatises, and your essays are just as strong. When the provincial exam arrives, you should have nothing to fear, Young Master Song.”

“I dare not presume,” Song Mu replied calmly. Seeing Scholar Sun’s satisfaction, he seized the moment to inquire further.

“Forgive my impertinence, Senior, but I wish to ask about the matter of cultivation. I hope you won’t begrudge me some guidance.”

“Ask away. There are things that are good for you to know in advance. Once you become a licentiate and form your Literary Force, you won’t need to fumble about and waste precious time.”

With Scholar Sun’s open encouragement, Song Mu quickly asked, “Senior, not long ago you mentioned that other realm and the matter of Mind Force. I find it truly fascinating. What exactly is it? And if it truly requires talent to awaken, when would it manifest?”

Scholar Sun was momentarily taken aback, having expected a question about Literary Force rather than Mind Force.

“To be honest, I have not awakened Mind Force myself and am unfamiliar with its subtleties. However, during my studies at the prefectural academy, I did meet a scholar who had. He told me that, unlike Literary Force which gathers in the dantian, Mind Force accumulates in the mind itself.

Once awakened, one can observe and sense the surroundings with closed eyes, and Mind Force can also be channeled into poetry to trigger otherworldly phenomena, even penetrate another’s thoughts and seize what one desires.

However, attempting to harness the latter uses forcibly may damage the foundation of one’s Literary Force; he’d never heard of anyone actually daring to try.”

At this, Song Mu’s heart raced. He recalled Ouyang Hong had once demonstrated the ability to probe another’s mind before him. So, he too possessed Mind Force? No wonder, despite being a mere instructor, even Jin Changwu treated him with respect.

Scholar Sun, unaware of Song Mu’s musings, continued, “Though Mind Force is wondrous, scholars who possess it are indeed stronger than those who have only Literary Force at the same stage, but it is not without its counters.”

Song Mu pressed eagerly, “What are the ways to counter it, Senior?”

Scholar Sun shook his head with a wry smile. “I don’t know the specifics. I’ve only heard there are two methods: one is to crush it with superior cultivation, the other is to use poetry as a counter—though that requires truly fine verse and consumes vast amounts of Literary Qi.”

“So it’s a kind of boundary-breaking art?” Song Mu ventured, and Scholar Sun nodded.

“In any case, that’s all there is to it. Junior Song, for now, you should focus more on the cultivation of Literary Force. The profundity and robustness of your first Literary Force is closely tied to the depth of your essays, and directly affects your future advancement and your ranking among licentiates.

As for the details of Literary Force formation, I believe Master Xun will soon give a lecture on it. Though it sounds abstruse, it’s not difficult in practice; in the end, it all comes down to the Literary Qi drawn forth by your compositions.

So, never slacken—keep striving to refine your writing,” Scholar Sun encouraged. Song Mu nodded in gratitude, bowing deeply.

Leaving Scholar Sun’s study, Song Mu was now certain of his earlier suspicions: he had, indeed, awakened Mind Force.

Moreover, its applications were manifold and versatile—he would have to find an opportunity to test its powers in earnest.

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