Master

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Master
Alias(es)	Xiao Gang
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Shrek Academy; Golden Iron Triangle
Occupation/Role	Teacher and mentor to Tang San
First Appearance	Chapter 22

Background / History

Master was formerly part of the Golden Iron Triangle alongside Flender and Liu Erlong. His past emotional entanglement with Liu Erlong led him to avoid her for a long time. When Du Cheng became a major obstacle to Tang San's prospects, Master resolved to seek Liu Erlong's assistance despite this history. 155

At Shrek Academy, Master became Tang San's principal mentor. He provided cultivation guidance, advised Tang San on selecting his third Soul Ring, and consistently pushed him to develop his strength and face powerful opponents. 77 118 188 272

Personality

Master is principled and protective of his students' interests. During negotiations over Shrek Academy's proposed exchange with Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he insisted that Shrek's teachers be accepted alongside the students and retain full authority over their teaching. 118

He is also strategic and pragmatic in pursuing Tang San's advancement. He arranged for Flender to take Tang San and other bottlenecked students into the Soul Beast Forest, and later chose to train the Heaven Dou Royal Academy First Team alongside Shrek despite his students' objections. 188 236

His mentorship can be opportunistic: after Tang San revealed the Clear Sky Hammer during the promotion tournament, Master intervened out of concern for Tang San while also seeking to benefit from the victory. 258

Abilities & Skills

Soul Ring and Cultivation Knowledge

Master possesses extensive knowledge of Soul Rings, physical limits, and cultivation exceptions.

• Identified that Du Cheng's Thousand-Year Soul Ring was made possible by a spiritual medicine that strengthened his body. 22
• Advised Tang San to seek a specific Soul Beast for his third Soul Ring. 77
• Encouraged Tang San to keep cultivating rather than fixating on immediately challenging Du Cheng. 155
• Emphasized maintaining a brave, forward-looking attitude when facing powerful enemies. 272

Teaching and Training

Master serves as a hands-on instructor and planner for Shrek's students.

• Supported Tang San's growth and received Tang San's promise not to disappoint him. 118
• Coordinated a Soul Beast Forest expedition for Tang San and other students nearing their bottlenecks. 188
• Trained the Heaven Dou Royal Academy First Team in addition to Shrek's team after the preliminary competition. 236
• Analyzed the Martial Soul Hall team's strength and strategy to bolster Tang San's confidence. 283

Equipment / Items

• Green Dragon's Eye — a storage ring given to Tang San, together with Gold Soul Coins for his studies. 22

Relationships

• Tang San — Master and student. Master guides Tang San's Soul Ring choices, cultivation, and competitive development; Tang San expresses gratitude and pledges not to let him down. 77 118 155 188
• Flender — Former Golden Iron Triangle companion and fellow Shrek Academy teacher. They discuss seeking Liu Erlong's aid and cooperate in arranging Tang San's training. 155 188 272
• Liu Erlong — Former Golden Iron Triangle companion with whom Master has unresolved emotional history. He had avoided her, but intended to ask for her help against Du Cheng. 155
• Qin Ming — Negotiating counterpart in the proposed Heaven Dou Royal Academy exchange. Master required guarantees for Shrek's teachers' positions and teaching autonomy. 118
• Shrek Academy students — Teacher and strategist. Their concern over his decision to train a potential rival team led to accusations that he was “aiding the enemy.” 236
• Xiao Wu — She disapproved of Master's intervention during Tang San's match against Feng Xiaotian. 258

Story Role / Major Arcs

Tang San's Early Guidance

Master explains the role of physical conditioning in exceeding normal Soul Ring limits, gives Tang San the Green Dragon's Eye, and helps restore Tang San's confidence after Du Cheng's advantage becomes apparent. 22

Before Shrek's journey to the Star Dou Great Forest, he privately advises Tang San on the Soul Beast he should target for his third Soul Ring, though he does not accompany the expedition. 77

Heaven Dou Exchange

When Qin Ming proposes that Shrek's students join Heaven Dou Royal Academy for the Elite Tournament, Master insists that Shrek's teachers be admitted as well and remain free from interference in their instruction. 118

Response to Du Cheng

Master recognizes Du Cheng as a threat to Tang San's tournament prospects. He urges Tang San to cultivate, promises to handle the situation, and considers relying on Liu Erlong's support. 155

He later permits Tang San's Soul Beast Forest trip to attach a Soul Ring to his Second Martial Soul, arranging for Flender to lead the expedition. 188

Elite Soul Master Competition

Master trains both Shrek and the Heaven Dou Royal Academy First Team after the preliminary competition, creating friction with his own students. 236

During Tang San's battle with Feng Xiaotian, Master intervenes when Tang San reveals the Clear Sky Hammer. 258

At the finals in Martial Soul City, he and Flender support Tang San's continued participation to preserve Shrek Academy's reputation. 272