Yu Xiaogang
Soul Land: My Teacher is the Pope
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚) |
| Alias(es) | Master; Grandmaster 121 125 |
| Gender | Male 121 |
| Affiliation | Shrek Academy; later collaborates with the Abyss 121 170 308 |
| Occupation/Role | Soul Master theorist, Tang San’s teacher and Shrek Academy instructor; later an academy librarian 121 123 225 |
| Status | Deceased; killed by Li Chang’an 308 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 121 121 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Breakthrough; level unspecified | 186 | Returns after accepting power from the Abyss. Li Chang’an detects unstable Soul Power and confirms that Yu Xiaogang has broken through 170 186. |
| Level 54 Beast Soul Master | 188 | Displays five soul rings—two yellow, two purple and one black—and summons a large, dark, scaled, dragon-like martial soul 188. |
Background / History
Yu Xiaogang was born with a flawed martial soul and was mocked by his family. He turned to research, developing the Ten Core Competitive Theories of Martial Souls and gaining a reputation as a leading theorist despite his cultivation limitations 127 170. He had past relationships with Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong; Flender remained a close friend and called him his brother 170 184.
At Shrek Academy, Yu Xiaogang taught his disciple Tang San and joined Flender’s teaching staff. He began intensive training for the students, but Li Chang’an—teaching under the name Li Changsheng—challenged his methods. Li Chang’an won their initial contest, and his specially trained three-student team later defeated Yu Xiaogang’s four-student team. These setbacks damaged Yu Xiaogang’s standing at the academy 121 122 126 127 128.
After further challenges to his theories and tactics, Yu Xiaogang accepted power from the Abyss, whose influence magnified his resentment. He left Shrek intending to grow stronger, then returned and challenged Li Chang’an in arithmetic, memory and combat. He lost all three rounds; his accusations against Flender and harsh words to Liu Erlong further strained those relationships. He subsequently remained at Shrek as a librarian 170 186 188 189 225.
At the tournament in Spirit City, Yu Xiaogang exposed Xiao Wu’s identity as a 100,000-year soul beast, drawing powerful Soul Masters into a confrontation. He then invited an Abyssal Monarch to possess him. Li Chang’an dispersed the possessing entity and killed Yu Xiaogang 307 308.
Appearance
At his arrival at Shrek, Yu Xiaogang is described as an unattractive middle-aged man with short hair, wise-looking eyes and a dejected air 121.
- During his decline, he becomes unshaven and disheveled 170.
- On returning to the academy, he wears a plain gray robe and carries himself with renewed confidence 186.
Personality
Yu Xiaogang takes considerable pride in his research and tactical knowledge. Challenges to those areas strike at a longstanding insecurity rooted in his flawed martial soul. He continues to believe in his expertise even after Li Chang’an’s training and battlefield command prove more effective 123 161 168.
He shows concern for Shrek’s students, including their food and physical development, but can be rigid in dealing with others. He presses Li Chang’an for private cultivation secrets after a defeat, reacts badly to refusal, and later accuses Flender of cheating when he loses an arithmetic contest 121 126 188.
Abilities & Skills
Martial Soul Research and Instruction
Yu Xiaogang is known for his martial soul theories and studies Twin Martial Souls, soul rings, cultivation and combat tactics 121 127 168.
- Trains Tang San and devises exercises and matches for Shrek’s students 121 122 126.
- His instruction is repeatedly challenged by Li Chang’an’s individualized training and team command 128 164 168.
Beast Martial Soul and Abyssal Power
After his Abyss-assisted breakthrough, Yu Xiaogang summons a roughly ten-meter-long, dark, scaled, dragon-like martial soul. Its pressure affects weaker Beast Soul Masters, but Li Chang’an destroys it with one punch, injuring Yu Xiaogang through the backlash 170 188.
- Uses a dark light that reveals concealed true forms, exposing Xiao Wu’s soul-beast identity 307.
- Invites an Abyssal Monarch to possess him; the possessing entity briefly emits power comparable to a Peerless Douluo before Li Chang’an disperses it 308.
Relationships
- Tang San — Disciple. Their bond grows beyond its initially practical basis, and Tang San continues to support Yu Xiaogang through his setbacks 121 157 168.
- Flender — Old friend and Shrek’s dean. Flender supports him despite doubts about his theories, but Yu Xiaogang’s cheating accusation creates a serious rift 121 184 188.
- Liu Erlong — Former love interest and longtime supporter. She initially defends him, then reconsiders their relationship after he rejects her concern 170 184 188.
- Bibi Dong — Former love interest. Yu Xiaogang resents having learned that she was Spirit Hall’s Holy Maiden; by the Spirit City tournament, she no longer shows an emotional response to him 170 307.
- Li Chang’an / Li Changsheng — Rival Shrek instructor who seeks to ruin his reputation. Their disputes over teaching, tactics and personal strength culminate in Li Chang’an killing him 121 128 188 308.
Notable Quotes
“What saddens me is that the theories I took pride in my entire life were defeated so completely!” 168
“Xiao Wu is a 100,000-Year Soul Beast. Are you truly not tempted?” 307