Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Grandmaster; Master; former theoretical Master; High Priest of the Bad Luck God Temple
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan; Scholars Alliance; formerly the Bad Luck God Temple
Occupation/Role	Theoretical researcher; Tang San's teacher
Status	Alive; held as the God of Bad Luck's plaything
First Appearance	3

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang was once publicly promoted by Martial Soul Hall as a Grandmaster and retained a reputation as a theoretical master, though this reputation later faded because he produced no recognized achievements. Bibi Dong was deeply attached to him in the past and reacted violently when students disparaged him. 3 222

When the Scholars Alliance was founded in Martial Soul City, Yu Luomian promoted Yu Xiaogang as a scholar comparable to Mr. Ratio and brought him back to public attention. Yu Xiaogang saw the new scholarly era as his opportunity to reclaim the standing he believed he had lost. 70

He studied Ratio's theories obsessively, but became increasingly preoccupied with surpassing Ratio and establishing himself as the Soul Master Realm's sole true Grandmaster. 71 113

Appearance

Yu Xiaogang initially appears as a middle-aged man with an ordinary, slovenly, and intimidatingly rough appearance. 70

• Broad and sturdy build. 70
• Closely shaved head and stubbly beard. 70
• Described as looking more like a thug than a scholar. 70
• Had visibly aged by his meeting with Bibi Dong. 82
• Later adopted disguises and altered his appearance while hiding from public attention. 156 221
• After his captivity under the God of Bad Luck, Tang San finds him transformed into a round, fair-skinned, delicate-looking fat man with a thin voice. 270

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is intensely ambitious and craves academic recognition. He repeatedly frames his actions as efforts to restore the status and glory he believes were stolen from him, particularly in comparison with Ratio. 70 113 220

His confidence frequently rests on unsupported conclusions, exaggeration, and a belief that public confrontation can establish his authority. He is willing to attack benefactors, allies, students, and powerful institutions when he thinks doing so may advance his reputation. 76 141 219 223

Despite presenting himself as defiant, he becomes fearful when confronted by figures able to harm him without consequence, such as Di Tian and the God of Bad Luck. 78 152 300

Abilities & Skills

Theoretical Research

Yu Xiaogang is recognized as a former theory master and is capable of studying soul master concepts and identifying practical flaws in research.

• Studied Ratio's formula for pre-validating a child's Soul Master talent and martial soul type. 71
• Claimed research into Bloodline Inheritance Spirits, with Yu Luomian asserting it could improve newborn awakening probabilities. 97
• Examined Ji Xiang's Core Array work and correctly demonstrated Soul Power leakage and destructive instability in an earlier version. 222
• Failed to earn recognition from the Scholars Alliance for his submitted papers. 214
• Presented a fabricated theoretical achievement to regain the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's support, then panicked when Zi Ji proposed having Ratio verify it. 113

Public Debate and Disruption

Yu Xiaogang uses public accusations and dramatic challenges to force recognition for himself.

• Challenged Ratio's Self-Produced Soul Ring theories without a theoretical basis, hoping soul masters' fear and greed would create support for him. 76
• Publicly accused Ratio of seeking divine glory and suppressing divine legacies before the God of Slaughter. 141
• Interrupted Ji Xiang's lecture, denounced Ji Xiang as fraudulent, and accused the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Martial Soul Hall of suppressing “true talent.” 221 223
• His attempt to discredit Ji Xiang ultimately failed when Ji Xiang demonstrated the stability and lower Soul Power demands of his Inscription Array. 224

Relationships

• Bibi Dong — Formerly deeply infatuated with Yu Xiaogang and initially defended his reputation fiercely; her affection deteriorated into disdain as she came to see his arrogance and opportunism. 3 82 152 222
• Yu Luomian — His second uncle and political supporter, who publicly promoted him as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's hope and later used him as a scapegoat for the clan's problems. 70 113
• Yu Yuanzhen — His father and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's leader; rebuked Yu Xiaogang for lies and later refused to acknowledge him because of his ruined reputation. 116 265
• Mr. Ratio / Saint Teacher Ratio — His principal academic rival and target of resentment; Yu Xiaogang repeatedly tried to challenge, discredit, and replace him. 70 76 141 223
• Tang San — His disciple. Yu Xiaogang encouraged Tang San to pursue fame, discouraged him from using Ratio's methods, and betrayed Tang San's confidence by revealing his cultivation methods to Tang Hao. 123 219 245 250
• Flender — Longtime friend and fellow member of the Golden Iron Triangle; repeatedly supported Yu Xiaogang but gradually became disillusioned by his behavior. 174 211 221
• Liu Erlong — Longtime admirer and fellow member of the Golden Iron Triangle; defended Yu Xiaogang for years, but increasingly questioned whether she had misunderstood his character. 211 213 220
• Ji Xiang — Young Senior Scholar whom Yu Xiaogang envied and publicly targeted over Core Array and Inscription Array research. 200 207 222 224
• God of Bad Luck — Initially elevated Yu Xiaogang as the Bad Luck God Temple's High Priest, then reduced him to a captive plaything and repeatedly humiliated him. 265 268 301

Story Role / Major Arcs

Return to Martial Soul City

Yu Xiaogang returns to Martial Soul City amid great expectations fostered by Yu Luomian. He commits himself to deciphering Ratio's theories and surpassing him, but cannot match Ratio's breakthroughs. 70 71 89

Opposition to Ratio's Research

He publicly challenges Self-Produced Soul Rings and Ratio's other theories, but loses confidence when confronted by Di Tian and evidence of Ratio's achievements. Xie Yue physically removes him from the stage after he slanders Ratio. 76 77 78 79

Fabricated Achievement and Clan Return

Yu Xiaogang presents fabricated research to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, receives public praise, and accepts Yu Luomian's invitation to return to the clan. The deception begins to unravel when Ratio's verification is proposed, and Yu Yuanzhen later exposes Yu Xiaogang's lack of ability. 113 116

Alliance with the God of Slaughter

Seeking protection and restored prestige, Yu Xiaogang grovels before the God of Slaughter Xiu Pu Ruo Si and offers accusations against Ratio. He hopes divine patronage will wash away his disgrace. 140 141

Conflict with Ji Xiang

Jealous of Ji Xiang's recognition, Yu Xiaogang researches the same field in hopes of proving himself superior. He disrupts Ji Xiang's public lecture, initially sways the audience by exposing a flaw, then collapses mentally after Ji Xiang explains the completed Inscription Array. 200 207 221 222 223 224

Betrayal of Tang San

After Tang San entrusts him with his cultivation manuals, Yu Xiaogang reveals the methods to Tang Hao despite Tang San's request for secrecy. He then lets Tang San blame Ratio for the methods' public release. When the truth emerges, Tang San realizes his teacher betrayed him. 216 219 229 257

Fall under the God of Bad Luck

Yu Xiaogang becomes High Priest of the Bad Luck God Temple, but loses even his family's recognition. Following the temple's annexation by the Poison God Temple, he is castrated and kept by the God of Bad Luck without freedom. 265 268 269

He briefly seeks escape and restoration through the Inner World's Transformation Technique, but the God of Bad Luck takes the opportunity from him and refuses to let him change. 300

Trivia

• Yu Xiaogang's former title was so forgotten that most attendees at Ji Xiang's lecture did not recognize his name. 222
• He considers himself the smartest scholar on the Douluo Continent, while acknowledging that Ratio thinks beyond the conventional framework of Soul Masters. 89
• His desire for recognition is strong enough that he imagines Tang San's tournament success will make both master and disciple famous, despite Tang San's abilities not originating from Yu Xiaogang. 245