I Also Want to Dig a Canal

Yun Huang's icy response poured like a bucket of freezing water over Li Ran's burning anger.

He froze.

"W-what did you say?"

"Yun Huang, we're teammates! I was just worried about you!"

Li Ran took a step forward, his emotions spiraling out of control as he reached out to grab Yun Huang's arm.

But before his fingers could even brush her sleeve—

Yun Huang merely frowned, not even turning her head.

An invisible force rippled from her side.

It wasn’t violent—not even a ripple of energy stirred.

Yet it was utterly unstoppable.

Li Ran felt as if he’d slammed into an unseen wall, stumbling back two steps before barely regaining his balance.

What just happened?

He hadn’t sensed any surge of power. Yun Huang hadn’t even moved.

Yet he’d been pushed back effortlessly.

"Why do you all assume the worst in people?"

Yun Huang’s voice was flat, devoid of emotion, as she strode toward her quarters without looking back.

Everyone had their temper.

And Yun Huang was furious.

She remembered what "that woman" had said earlier.

"That Su Qi kid somehow caught Elder Feng’s favor!"

"You know Elder Feng, right?"

"Back when your father and I were struggling to make our mark, he was already one of the Pillars of the Nation. Even now, retired and aged, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse."

"Plenty of today’s powerhouses owe their rise to Elder Feng’s early patronage."

"That penniless brat’s struck gold!"

She’d overheard their conversation by chance.

Even one of the so-called "Pillars of the Nation" had personally bowed to thank Su Qi.

So it didn’t take much to figure out—

Why would Elder Feng favor Su Qi over her, Yun Huang?

Because the old man’s eyesight was failing?

The answer was simple.

Su Qi had something extraordinary to offer.

Like the "Sourceflow Construction Method."

As one of its "beneficiaries," she knew firsthand how terrifyingly effective it was.

According to Su Qi,

she was the only one in the squad who hadn’t learned it yet.

That was why he’d called her aside privately.

Telling her to come after washing up? Just him noticing she looked a little disheveled.

So when Li Ran—another "beneficiary"—dared to badmouth Su Qi, of course she’d be furious.

Had he even seen how exhausted Su Qi looked?

No imagination needed to guess what he’d endured these past three days.

Everyone thought he’d abandoned the team irresponsibly.

But in truth, Su Qi had been refining the "Sourceflow Construction Method," tailoring versions for each of them.

Those three days must’ve been harder on him than any of them.

Sleepless nights, grinding his mind to dust.

His vision was for Great Xia’s eternal peace, not some petty competition over points.

And yet, a man like that still faced baseless slander.

That she hadn’t cursed Li Ran out already was purely out of respect for their team bond.

"Yun Huang!"

Li Ran, torn between anger and desperation, made to chase after her.

"Enough, Li Ran."

Liu Feiyu’s voice cut in. Adjusting his battered glasses, his eyes gleamed strangely behind the lenses.

His gaze lingered on Yun Huang’s retreating figure.

"Can’t you see it?"

"See what?" Li Ran snapped, whirling around.

"She’s… changed." Liu Feiyu’s tone brimmed with barely contained bewilderment.

Li Ran, ever consistent: "Changed into a woman?"

The others exchanged awkward glances.

None of them could perceive the subtle shift Liu Feiyu referred to.

"She’s clearly been brainwashed by that guy!"

"Since when does being squad leader mean you can do whatever you want? Where’s the justice in that?"

"I’m reporting him to Instructor Lin Xiao! This can’t stand!"

Li Ran’s face was livid, his chest heaving.

He glared first at the direction of Su Qi’s quarters, then at Yun Huang’s distant back, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white.

A crushing sense of powerlessness and humiliation drowned him.

The person he wanted to protect wouldn’t even acknowledge his concern.

Meanwhile,

on the other side of the military base, an unusual commotion erupted.

Two logistics officers in distinctive uniforms pushed a sealed, temperature-controlled transport cart straight toward the rest area.

Patrolling guards intercepted them: "Identify yourselves."

Standard procedure.

Even if they recognized the officers and their purpose, protocols had to be followed.

One of the officers wordlessly displayed an electronic warrant.

The guard’s terminal instantly flashed a crimson alert—highest priority clearance.

The guard’s expression shifted instantly. He snapped to attention with a sharp salute.

"Clear passage!"

The scene didn’t escape the notice of trainees from other squads, freshly showered and milling about.

"What’s going on?"

"What’s in there? That’s a top-tier strategic-grade cryo-unit, right?"

"Where are they headed?"

Under dozens of bewildered stares, the cart finally halted outside Su Qi’s modest quarters.

One officer stepped forward and knocked—with unsettling deference.

Liu Yuan opened the door.

"Greetings. Is this Su Qi’s temporary residence?" The officer’s politeness bordered on excessive.

"Big brother’s sleeping," Liu Yuan blinked.

"These are recovery supplies for Mr. Su. Please ensure he uses them promptly."

With that, the officer unsealed the container.

An intoxicating fragrance spilled out, mingled with energy so dense it seemed to solidify.

Inside lay rows of golden-hued vials alongside three bottles of azure liquid that shimmered like captured starlight.

"Tch—"

Among the onlookers, someone who recognized the items gasped audibly, their voice cracking.

"Is that… ‘Golden Vitalis’ and ‘Tears of the Cosmos’?"

"You’re joking! Those are SS-rank products from the Source Realm!"

"A single dose of ‘Golden Vitalis’ can restore 70% combat power to a near-death eighth-tier fighter!"

"‘Tears of the Cosmos’ is holy-grade for mental recovery! That stuff’s measured by the drop!"

"What kind of madman stocks it by the crate?!"

"How much would this even cost?"

"Strategic reserves—money can’t buy this."

"Why him? Why does he get all this?"

Whispers of envy, confusion, and disbelief spread like wildfire.

The earlier rumors of Su Qi embezzling or exploiting his position now seemed laughable against this obscene display of resources.

Embezzlement?

Would someone who received "gifts" worth more than three crates of source crystals bother skimming petty cash?

Exploitation?

If Elder Feng personally dispatched his guard to deliver such treasures, would Su Qi need underhanded tactics against a female teammate?

No one could make sense of it.

Li Ran witnessed it all from the shadows.

He stood rigid at the corridor’s bend, paralyzed.

The humiliation and powerlessness he’d felt earlier now weighed heavier, threatening to crush him entirely.

His proud family background, his self-proclaimed elite status—all of it had become a joke in the face of reality.

Inside the room.

Su Qi was jolted awake. He sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes.

"What’s that smell? So fragrant."

He glanced at the crate filled with golden and blue glimmers, letting out a yawn.

"Just leave it there," he waved weakly. "Thank Elder Feng for me."

The logistics staff bowed respectfully, placed the items down, and left after a formal salute.

Su Qi walked over and picked up the crate.

He examined the assortment of vials and bottles inside.

"Brother, this smells so good."

Liu Yuan leaned in, her little nose twitching as her large eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Yeah?"

Su Qi casually picked up a pale golden potion.

The vial felt cool to the touch, its contents shimmering under the light, crystal clear.

He uncorked it and took a whiff.

A sweet, fruity aroma, with a hint of minty freshness.

"Smells decent."

Then, under Liu Yuan’s curious gaze, he tilted his head back.

Gulp, gulp, gulp.

Downed in one go.

A surge of intense heat exploded from his stomach, flooding through his limbs in an instant.

The hollowed-out exhaustion in his body—like a parched riverbed suddenly inundated by a roaring flood—

vanished at an astonishing speed.

Every depleted corner of his being was washed over and replenished by this warm, revitalizing energy.

Su Qi could even feel his physical strength improving slightly under its nourishing effects.

"Burp..."

He let out a satisfied belch, the aftertaste sweet and fruity.

"Gotta admit, the results are impressive."

He smacked his lips and reached for the three blue vials that seemed to contain swirling galaxies.

These were for restoring mental energy.

He twisted one open.

Gulp, gulp, gulp.

Another full bottle, gone in seconds.

This time, there was no warmth—

just a refreshing coolness that shot straight to the crown of his head.

The fatigue in his mind was swept away by this icy clarity.

The world around him sharpened, clearer than ever before.

Su Qi’s recovery was swift, even better than he’d anticipated.

The effects of these potions were unbelievably potent.

He stretched, his joints popping crisply, the previous emptiness completely erased.

Refreshed and invigorated.

He felt like himself again.

No—better than before.

Su Qi glanced down at the crate.

All top-tier stuff.

He closed the lid and shoved it under the bed.

As for whether it was a waste of precious resources?

Hardly.

He’d paid his dues.

After all, not many were willing to share even a fraction of their "cheat."

"Brother."

Liu Yuan’s soft voice pulled him back.

She had been sitting quietly on the bed, knees hugged to her chest, watching as he downed the potions, as the pallor in his face faded and color returned.

"Hmm?" Su Qi turned, in high spirits.

"That… I want to learn too." Her voice was small but firm.

Her large eyes held none of Yun Huang’s thirst for power—just pure, clingy affection.

Su Qi paused.

"My cards… their training speed seems a bit slow." Liu Yuan lowered her head, fingers fiddling with the hem of her clothes.

Su Qi fell silent.

After a moment of thought, he realized she wasn’t wrong.

"Alright." He nodded without hesitation.

For family, he’d teach the best.

He pulled up a chair and had Liu Yuan sit facing him.

"What I gave Yun Huang and the others were simplified, tailored versions of the 'Sourceflow Framework,' adjusted for their traits."

"What I’m teaching you now is the original, unaltered foundation—the core logic behind it all."

Su Qi’s expression turned serious.

This time, he held nothing back. There was no need.

He broke down every insight he had on essence, energy flow, and human potential, explaining it in the simplest terms for Liu Yuan.

"Blah blah."

"Yada yada."

"This and that."

Liu Yuan listened intently, her bright eyes unblinking, as if etching every word into her mind.

After a long while, Su Qi stopped to take a sip of water.

"That’s the theory. How much did you understand?"

"Mm…" Liu Yuan tilted her head, thinking hard, then nodded. "I think… I got all of it."

Su Qi was surprised.

The complexity of this foundational logic far surpassed the optimized version he’d given Yun Huang. Even he found it convoluted, yet his sister had absorbed it entirely.

"Then… Brother." Liu Yuan suddenly leaned closer, her face tinged with hope and shyness. "I want to try it too."

"Like how you helped Yun Huang earlier."

She looked up, her shimmering eyes reflecting Su Qi’s image.

"Help me… open a 'canal.'"

Su Qi studied her. The request made sense.

Theory paired with practice for maximum effect.

"Alright." He agreed. "Get ready."

"Okay."

Liu Yuan nodded. But unlike Yun Huang, who had turned her back, she lay down directly on the wide bed in front of Su Qi.

Exposing not her back, but her toned abdomen.

Su Qi’s movements froze.

This…

wasn’t what he’d expected.

"Brother, is this okay?"

"...Yeah."

Suppressing the odd feeling in his chest, Su Qi took a closer look. It actually worked.

He stepped to the bedside and leaned down.

Liu Yuan’s physique was entirely different from Yun Huang’s—softer, lacking the latter’s resilience that allowed energy loops to form along the "dragon’s spine."

The optimal core point for her…

His fingertip traced downward, finally settling just below her navel.

"The core is here."

The skin under his touch was smooth.

"Relax. Channel your soulforce. Let me see the flow path."

Su Qi guided her.

Liu Yuan bit her lower lip, straining to gather a wisp of soulforce beneath his fingertip as instructed.

The energy was nothing like Yun Huang’s—

not fierce, not sharp, but carrying a peculiar, fluid warmth.

"Good."

Su Qi extended his own mental energy, beginning the guidance.

His finger no longer traced lines but pressed and rotated in a slow, rhythmic motion around the core point.

"Mmm…"

Su Qi met resistance.

Not an energy barrier, but something deeper—a blockade rooted in the flesh itself.

"The energy flow is clogged here. Needs to be forced open."

He amplified his mental output.