Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang is the son of Yu Yuanzhen, patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the nephew of Yu Luomian. Despite his lineage, he awakened Luo Sanpao rather than the Martial Soul expected of his clan. Ridicule over his weakness followed him from childhood, and he was eventually driven out. He subsequently traveled the continent seeking to prove himself worthy of his father’s name 10 11 21.

During his relationship with Bibi Dong, he gained access to Spirit Hall’s library and studied its ancient records. Their romance nearly led to marriage, but he later recalled Qian Xunji’s involvement in its collapse. He also admitted to having fled because he considered himself unworthy of her 5 11 16 21.

He developed the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul and roamed the continent with Flender and Liu Erlong as the Golden Iron Triangle. His intended marriage to Liu Erlong fell apart when they learned that they were cousins: she was the illegitimate daughter of his uncle, Yu Luomian 11 21.

Personality

Yu Xiaogang’s pride in his scholarship contrasts sharply with his insecurity about his cultivation and family standing. He initially treats the Soul Master system as superior to Teyvat’s cultivation and dismisses evidence that contradicts his theories. Nahida’s challenge to his expertise leaves him so distressed that he spits blood; being ignored afterward wounds him almost as much as the criticism itself 4 5 6.

His anticipated ranking reward exposes both his ambition and vindictiveness. Before receiving anything, he imagines becoming a Titled Douluo, entering the Divine Realm, and reuniting with Bibi Dong. He begins looking down on Liu Erlong and, after returning to his clan, orders retaliation against former tormentors 10 11.

Despite his repeated denials, he continues collecting information from the sky screen. By Chapter 19, he accepts that errors in his theory can be corrected and records material he does not yet understand for later study. His resentment toward Tang San nevertheless persists, expressed through both calculated retaliation and open delight at his former disciple’s misfortunes 15 19 37 48.

Abilities & Skills

Luo Sanpao

• His Martial Soul is a pig-like mutation named Luo Sanpao 12 15.
• Nahida identifies its mutation as the reason behind his longstanding inability to break through level 30 12.
• His low cultivation severely limits his physical strength: when he punches a tree in anger, the tree remains unharmed while his fist swells 14.

Martial Soul Research

• Proposed the widely known Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul 12.
• Argues that cultivation methods, Soul Ring combinations, and tactics—not Martial Soul quality alone—determine a Soul Master’s potential 12.
• The sky screen judges his theories to be riddled with mistakes, and Nahida independently agrees with that assessment 12.
• His research draws on Spirit Hall’s ancient texts and detailed notes taken from the sky screen’s demonstrations of Teyvat’s powers 5 10 19.

Strategic Retaliation

• Publicly reveals Xiao Wu’s identity and precise location to make her a target for hunters seeking a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring 15.
• Emphasizes that Tang San’s predicted godhood does not reflect his current strength, encouraging enemies to act before he becomes powerful 15 16.
• Tang Hao recognizes the disclosure as an open scheme: protecting Xiao Wu would draw Tang San and the Clear Sky Sect into conflict with Spirit Hall 16.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Challenging Teyvat

When the sky screen appears, Yu Xiaogang theorizes that a supreme existence created it and that ranked individuals will receive rewards. He then joins the Douluo participants in mocking Teyvat, claiming that even a Soul Douluo could overwhelm its inhabitants 1 4 5.

Hu Tao’s claim to Demigod strength clashes with his belief that level 99 is humanity’s practical limit and that gods belong to legend. Nahida further challenges him by identifying the Douluo Continent’s divine inheritances and their current successors. Unable to answer her question about his own divine level, he suffers a public breakdown but resolves to prove himself right 5 6.

Ninth Place and Brief Rehabilitation

A preview linking ninth place to the word “Grandmaster” convinces Yu Xiaogang that his fortunes have changed. He argues that Tang San’s talent and future prospects justify his inclusion, even if his own cultivation is weak 10.

Yu Yuanzhen immediately welcomes him back and offers him the position of young clan master. Returning to the clan, Yu Xiaogang has those who previously bullied him crippled, stripped of cultivation, and expelled; his father supports and personally assists the retaliation 11.

The actual ranking confirms his ninth-place position but demolishes his justification for it. The sky screen credits his placement to acquiring Tang San as a disciple through luck, states that he contributed nothing useful to Tang San’s growth, and summarizes his success as “riding others’ coattails.” Tang San privately agrees that his inherited talents and previous-life techniques did not come from Yu Xiaogang 12.

Public Rejection and Estrangement

After the exposure, Ning Fengzhi distances the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect from him. Yu Yuanzhen likewise publicly disowns him and retracts the offer to make him young clan master 13.

The next revelation shows that Tang San’s future Divine Realm household includes his parents and Xiao Wu’s brothers, but not Yu Xiaogang. He condemns Tang San as ungrateful and turns to Bibi Dong for support. She denies any connection to him and offers to punish him on Nahida’s behalf. Tang San leaves Shrek Academy, while Yu Xiaogang vows lasting enmity 14 15.

The dispute also brings criticism of Tang San. Flender, Ning Fengzhi, Zhongli, Venti, and Nahida regard the abandonment as a violation of the master-disciple bond. Nahida distinguishes Yu Xiaogang’s inability to teach much from an unwillingness to teach 15.

Exposing Xiao Wu

Seeking revenge, Yu Xiaogang announces that Xiao Wu is a transformed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soft Bone Rabbit and broadcasts her room number at Shrek Academy. Bibi Dong immediately recognizes the opportunity to obtain a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring 15 16.

Tang San wants to kill him, but Tang Hao warns that killing his own teacher could be treated as patricide and might jeopardize his divine inheritances. Yu Xiaogang later receives his ranking reward: a single level of Soul Power, rather than the extraordinary transformation he had imagined 16 18.

Escaping Tang San’s Fallout

After Tang San offends Lin Feng, Flender fears that Shrek Academy will be implicated. Yu Xiaogang instead celebrates: the earlier severing of his relationships means that he is no longer tied to Tang San or the clans facing retaliation. He advises Flender to declare that Tang San was expelled long ago 29.

When Tang San and Yu Yuanzhen become Hilichurls, Yu Xiaogang remains human and publicly mocks them. He later celebrates Xiao Wu’s decision to resurrect her mother rather than rescue Tang San. By Chapter 60, he is still at Shrek Academy with Flender and Liu Erlong, discussing how to distance themselves from Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others 37 48 60.

Relationships

• Tang San — Former disciple turned enemy. Yu Xiaogang initially bases his hopes of divine ascension on Tang San, then retaliates after learning that Tang San’s revealed future excludes him 10 14 15.
• Yu Yuanzhen — Father. Restores him when a valuable reward seems likely, then publicly disowns him after the ranking exposes his shortcomings 11 13.
• Liu Erlong — Cousin, former intended bride, and Golden Iron Triangle companion. She repeatedly comforts him despite his renewed interest in Bibi Dong and dismissive treatment of her 4 11 14 21.
• Bibi Dong — First love and former research companion. Rejects him publicly, although his disclosure of Xiao Wu’s identity later serves her interests 11 14 16.
• Flender — Golden Iron Triangle companion and continuing associate at Shrek Academy. Yu Xiaogang advises him on distancing the academy from Tang San 21 29 60.
• Nahida — Principal critic of his theories. She exposes errors in his understanding of cultivation but also criticizes Tang San for abandoning his teacher 6 12 15.
• Xiao Wu — Target of his retaliation against Tang San. He exposes her Soul Beast identity and location to prospective hunters 15.

Notable Quotes

“There are no trash Martial Souls, only trash Soul Masters.” 12

“I've already lost everything. Even if I die, I'll drag you down with me.” 14

“Why don't you cut ties with Tang San too? Just say Shrek Academy expelled him a long time ago.” 29