Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小剛)
Alias(es)	Grandmaster
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Shrek Academy; formerly one of the Golden Iron Triangle
Occupation/Role	Great Soul Master; Soul Master theorist; Tang San's teacher
Status	Active 151
First Appearance	Chapter 6

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang brought Tang San to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain his first soul ring. There, they encountered Bibi Dong and her disciple Ye Xiaobao. Bibi Dong saved the pair from a Mandala Snake, allowing Tang San to absorb its ring. Tang San's successful absorption of the snake ring appeared to validate Xiaogang's Soul Ring Mimicry Theory. 6

He publicly championed the “Ten Core Competencies of Soul Masters” and asserted that a first soul ring could not exceed roughly four hundred years. Ye Xiaobao challenged this claim by successfully absorbing a two-thousand-year ring as his first, leaving Xiaogang shaken and forcing him to pledge that he would no longer speak of the Ten Core Competencies. 6 7

Xiaogang later remained associated with Shrek Academy and attempted to mediate during the confrontation between Spirit Hall and Tang Hao at Shrek. Ye Xiaobao dismissed him as an interloper and attacked him with spiritual power; Flander intercepted the attack and was injured. 35

When Tang Hao sought help concerning Tang San's Twin Martial Souls, Xiaogang admitted that Bibi Dong was the person most likely to know the cultivation method. He resolved to obtain that knowledge for Tang San while advising that Tang San continue cultivating Blue Silver Grass in the meantime. 53

As tensions between Shrek and Spirit Hall escalated, Xiaogang opposed Dugu Bo's attempt to take Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing as disciples. When challenged, he could not promise that he could guide Oscar, a Food System Soul Master, to Titled Douluo. 106

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is deeply invested in his theories and reputation. He presents his conclusions with confidence and takes Tang San's success as proof of his research, but Ye Xiaobao's unprecedented first-ring absorption leaves him unable to reconcile his stated limits with reality. 6 7

His concern for Tang San can become desperate and controlling. After Tang San's identity is exposed, Xiaogang suggests that he leave Shrek to avoid implicating the academy. Later, he urges Tang San to publicly sever ties with Tang Hao and feign allegiance to Spirit Hall to gain access to Twin Martial Soul cultivation methods. 136 150 151

Following Flander and Liu Erlong beginning a relationship, Xiaogang reacts with jealousy and hostility. He views their relationship as betrayal and asks Bibi Dong to eliminate them. 144

Abilities & Skills

Soul Master Theory

Yu Xiaogang researches martial souls and soul-ring compatibility, presenting his findings as the Ten Core Competencies of Soul Masters.

• Proposed the Soul Ring Mimicry Theory, arguing that a Plant Martial Soul could absorb a snake-type soul ring. Tang San's absorption of the Mandala Snake ring supported the theory in that instance. 6
• Asserted a strict first-ring age limit of roughly four hundred years; Ye Xiaobao's first-ring absorption directly contradicted this principle. 6 7
• Understands the difficulties involved in cultivating Twin Martial Souls, though he acknowledges that Bibi Dong possesses knowledge he lacks. 53

Golden Iron Triangle Fusion Skill

Yu Xiaogang can form a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Flander and Liu Erlong as part of the Golden Iron Triangle.

• The trio prepares to use the fusion skill when Dugu Bo arrives to take Zhu Zhuqing and Oscar as disciples. 106
• Their ability to coordinate is treated as a potential means of resisting a stronger opponent, rather than a guaranteed victory. 106

Relationships

• Tang San — Disciple. Xiaogang guides Tang San's early soul-ring acquisition and seeks a method to cultivate his Twin Martial Souls; Tang San ultimately rejects Xiaogang's plan to feign defection to Spirit Hall. 6 53 151
• Bibi Dong — Former lover with a complicated history. Bibi Dong retains feelings for him, as indicated by the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, but insists that he address her formally as the Pope. 6 94 144 150
• Tang Hao — Tang San's father and an admirer of Xiaogang's expertise. Tang Hao consults him about Tang San's Twin Martial Souls. 53
• Flander — Former Golden Iron Triangle companion. Their relationship becomes openly hostile after Flander enters a relationship with Liu Erlong. 106 144
• Liu Erlong — Former Golden Iron Triangle companion. Xiaogang regards her relationship with Flander as a betrayal and seeks revenge against both of them. 144
• Ye Xiaobao — Antagonistic acquaintance. Ye Xiaobao exposes the limitations of Xiaogang's soul-ring theory and later challenges his ability to guide Oscar. 6 7 106

Story Role / Major Arcs

Soul Ring Mimicry Theory

Xiaogang mentors Tang San through the absorption of the Mandala Snake soul ring and uses the result to affirm his Soul Ring Mimicry Theory. Ye Xiaobao's two-thousand-year first ring immediately turns the encounter into a public challenge to Xiaogang's stated limits. 6 7

Shrek and Spirit Hall Conflicts

He acts as a Shrek representative during major conflicts with Spirit Hall, attempting to de-escalate the confrontation at Shrek Academy and later resisting Dugu Bo's recruitment of Zhu Zhuqing and Oscar. 35 106

Search for Twin Martial Soul Knowledge

Xiaogang repeatedly seeks Bibi Dong's knowledge of Twin Martial Soul cultivation for Tang San. Bibi Dong offers the method only if Tang San publicly abandons Tang Hao and joins Spirit Hall before the tournament ends. 53 150

Break with the Golden Iron Triangle

After discovering Flander and Liu Erlong's relationship, Xiaogang denounces them as traitors and requests that Bibi Dong have them eliminated. Bibi Dong agrees in principle but orders an investigation into the cause of his request. 144

Attempt to Persuade Tang San

Xiaogang proposes that Tang San feign submission to Spirit Hall as a delaying tactic. Tang San refuses to sever ties with his father or acknowledge Spirit Hall, leaving Xiaogang embittered and isolated. 151