Master

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yu Xiaogang
Alias(es)	Master; Xiao Gang; Jade Xiaogang
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan; Golden Iron Triangle; Shrek Academy
Occupation/Role	Soul Master, teacher, martial-soul theorist, and Tang San’s master
Status	Alive; active as of the Elite Soul Master Competition 289
First Appearance	Chapter 5, “Master’s Schemes”

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang was born into the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and became known as the clan’s “waste” because of a failed Martial Soul mutation. Despite his reputation as a theorist, he could not break through to the Soul Elder realm. He later became famous for proposing the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls, earning the title of “Master” across the continent 203 237 289.

Yu Xiaogang was one of the original members of the Golden Iron Triangle alongside Flender and Liu Erlong. He had a romantic history with Liu Erlong but avoided facing her for years because of family-related issues 155. His later attempt to use her authority to remove Du Cheng and his team from Blue Tyrant Academy failed. Liu Erlong refused to expel her students and forced Yu Xiaogang and Flender to leave 159.

At Notting Academy, Yu Xiaogang became Tang San’s teacher and immediately recognized Tang San’s potential as a wielder of Twin Martial Souls. He encouraged Tang San to obtain his First Soul Ring and defeat Du Cheng, partly because Tang San’s success would validate Yu Xiaogang’s own theories and reputation 7.

Yu Xiaogang repeatedly attempted to recruit Xiao Wu and influence her relationship with Du Cheng. He presented himself as a suitable teacher for her, emphasizing that she and Tang San both possessed Innate Full Soul Power. Xiao Wu rejected the offer and remained aligned with Du Cheng 6.

After the move toward Shrek Academy, Yu Xiaogang tried to expel Du Cheng because of his supposedly mediocre talent and stubborn temperament. Flender stopped him after revealing that Du Cheng had powerful backing, including Titled Douluo. Yu Xiaogang subsequently agreed not to target Du Cheng 55.

During the Elite Soul Master Competition, Yu Xiaogang served as a strategist and public-relations planner for Tang San’s team. He defended their embarrassing uniforms as a deliberate marketing tactic and advised the team to conceal its strength until the finals 203 204. He also favored Tang San when Tang San’s use of poison accidentally injured his teammates, giving the match prize money to Du Cheng instead and angering Ning Rongrong 114.

Yu Xiaogang later traveled to Spirit City to seek Bibi Dong’s help with Tang San’s Twin Martial Souls. Bibi Dong refused, revealing that Yu Xiaogang had previously benefited from Spirit Hall’s research and that she would not assist someone who might oppose Spirit Hall. Yu Xiaogang threatened her, but was forced to leave after she overpowered him 273 274.

After Tang San lost to Du Cheng in the finals, Yu Xiaogang attempted to stop him from continuing the fight. Tang San responded by publicly calling Yu Xiaogang useless and blaming him for his failure. Yu Xiaogang collapsed after spitting blood, suffering a severe public humiliation 289.

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is highly conscious of his reputation. He usually maintains a calm, authoritative appearance, even when manipulating others or concealing his true motives. His title as “Master” and his public image are central to how he exercises influence despite his weak personal cultivation 10 204.

He is ambitious and frequently treats Tang San as both a disciple and proof of his own ability. Yu Xiaogang wants Tang San to become powerful enough to establish his reputation across the continent, and he often prioritizes Tang San’s success over fairness toward other students 7 29 114.

His teaching style is stern and unforgiving. He emphasizes perseverance and obedience, threatening Ning Rongrong with expulsion when she challenges his training methods 60. However, his strictness is selective: he is willing to defend Tang San and overlook Tang San’s mistakes while demanding discipline from others 114 204.

Yu Xiaogang is also insecure about his low Soul Power. His composure breaks when his lack of strength is exposed, particularly after Tang San publicly blames him for failing to defeat Du Cheng 289.

Abilities & Skills

Martial-Soul Theory

Yu Xiaogang possesses extensive knowledge of Martial Souls, soul rings, soul beasts, and Soul Master development. Tang Hao claims that his knowledge surpasses that of more than ninety percent of Soul Masters on the continent 203.

• Advises Tang San on obtaining suitable soul rings 7.
• Selects appropriate soul beasts for Tang San’s teammates 202.
• Understands the risks associated with Twin Martial Souls and delayed Tang San’s second Martial Soul development 274.
• Studies Martial Soul Fusion Skills and develops training plans for competing teams 237 238.
• His knowledge is limited by his weak personal cultivation, and Tang Hao describes much of his understanding as vague theory rather than practical mastery 294.

Teaching and Strategy

Yu Xiaogang is skilled at organizing training and exploiting the strengths of talented students.

• Uses Tang San as the centerpiece of his plan to prove his theories and enhance his reputation 7.
• Advises teams on opponent analysis, concealment, and Fusion Skills 237 283.
• Emphasizes cooperation between teammates before major tournaments 135.
• Provides tactical instructions during Tang San’s battle with Feng Xiaotian, including advice to target Feng Xiaotian’s shoulder 258.

Persuasion and Manipulation

Yu Xiaogang uses rhetoric, social pressure, and carefully managed appearances to influence students and bystanders.

• Frames Tang San’s success as proof of his own teaching ability 7 29.
• Uses the Shrek team’s humiliating uniforms as a publicity strategy 203 204.
• Attempts to make Du Cheng and his companions appear ungrateful during the cafeteria dispute 5 6.
• Tries to persuade Liu Erlong to remove Du Cheng’s team from Blue Tyrant Academy 155 159.
• Encourages Tang San to view any method against an opponent as acceptable 29.

Personal Combat Ability

Yu Xiaogang is a Soul Master with notably poor cultivation. He is unable to break through to the Soul Elder realm and generally relies on theory, authority, and influential connections rather than direct combat 237 289.

Relationships

• Tang San — Disciple and principal subject of Yu Xiaogang’s ambitions. Yu Xiaogang favors Tang San, guides his cultivation, and treats his success as proof of his own ability. Their relationship collapses after Tang San publicly insults him 7 29 274 289.
• Du Cheng — Rival and frequent target of Yu Xiaogang’s schemes. Yu Xiaogang attempts to undermine or remove him but repeatedly fails because of Du Cheng’s strength and powerful backing 10 55 159.
• Flender — Old friend and fellow member of the Golden Iron Triangle. Flender often mediates Yu Xiaogang’s conflicts and protects Shrek Academy from the consequences of his decisions 55 159.
• Liu Erlong — Former romantic partner and member of the Golden Iron Triangle. She rejects Yu Xiaogang’s attempt to control Blue Tyrant Academy and drives him away 155 159.
• Bibi Dong — Former lover and former source of Martial Soul knowledge. Their relationship becomes hostile after Bibi Dong refuses to reveal the secret of overcoming Twin Martial Soul backlash 273 274.
• Xiao Wu — Student Yu Xiaogang attempts to recruit because of her Innate Full Soul Power. She rejects his offer and remains loyal to Du Cheng 6.
• Ning Rongrong — Student subjected to Yu Xiaogang’s harsh training methods and threats of expulsion 60.
• Tang Hao — Tang San’s father, who asks Yu Xiaogang to teach Tang San properly and avoid further conflicts with Du Cheng 29.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Notting Academy Arc

Yu Xiaogang enters the story as Tang San’s teacher and attempts to shape the conflict between Tang San, Du Cheng, and Xiao Wu. He encourages Tang San to obtain a Soul Ring and defeat Du Cheng, while simultaneously trying to recruit Xiao Wu as Tang San’s fellow disciple 6 7.

When Tang San slanders Du Cheng and Xiao Wu, Yu Xiaogang attempts to mediate in Tang San’s favor. Du Cheng exposes his manipulation and publicly rebukes him 10 11.

Shrek Academy Arc

Yu Xiaogang supports Tang San’s move to Shrek Academy and tries to use Tang San’s talent to establish his own authority. He later attempts to expel Du Cheng but backs down after learning about Du Cheng’s powerful protectors 55.

He becomes a strict instructor to the academy’s students, especially Ning Rongrong, and uses discipline, threats, and competition to push them toward improvement 60 74.

Elite Competition Arc

Yu Xiaogang acts as Tang San’s strategist during the Elite Soul Master Competition. He promotes the Shrek team through deliberately embarrassing uniforms, plans when Tang San should reveal his strength, and encourages cooperation against Du Cheng 203 204 237.

He also displays favoritism toward Tang San, defending his poor use of poison and ignoring conduct that would have been punished in other students 107 114.

Spirit City Arc

Yu Xiaogang meets Bibi Dong after more than twenty years and asks her to reveal how she overcame Twin Martial Soul backlash. Bibi Dong refuses and exposes his earlier use of Spirit Hall’s secrets. Yu Xiaogang threatens her but is forced to retreat 273 274.

Finals and Breakdown

After Tang San is defeated by Du Cheng, Yu Xiaogang urges him to surrender and avoid further damage to his reputation. Tang San instead blames Yu Xiaogang for his failure and repeatedly calls him useless. Yu Xiaogang collapses after spitting blood, marking the public breakdown of their teacher-disciple relationship 289.

Notable Quotes

“With my help, you will certainly obtain the Soul Ring best suited to you.” 7

“Once you’ve determined someone is your opponent, using any means against them is perfectly justified.” 29

“Only true elite Soul Masters are qualified to participate in this tournament.” 135

“Tang San is my greatest hope. If anything happens to him, I, Yu Xiaogang, will stop at nothing to destroy Spirit Hall!” 274

Trivia

• The title “Master” comes from Yu Xiaogang’s reputation as a Martial Soul theorist rather than from exceptional personal strength 203 237.
• He is a member of the Golden Iron Triangle, alongside Flender and Liu Erlong 155.
• His marketing strategy for Shrek Academy relies on turning ridicule into fame through high-profile victories 204.
• He sought knowledge about Twin Martial Soul backlash from Bibi Dong after allowing Tang San to develop his second Martial Soul before the danger was fully resolved 274.