Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Master
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Nuoding Academy; descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect
Occupation/Role	Soul Master theory researcher; Tang San's teacher
Martial Soul	Luo Sanpao
Soul Power	Level 29 52
Status	Alive; released from Spirit City prison by Flender 80
First Appearance	Chapter 6

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang was teaching at Nuoding Academy when he encountered Tang San at the academy gate. After examining Tang San's proof of Innate Full Soul Power, he immediately inferred that ordinary Blue Silver Grass could not produce such talent and intervened in Tang San's dispute with the gatekeeper. He apologized on the academy's behalf, reprimanded the gatekeeper, and brought Tang San inside. 6

He became Tang San's teacher and personally planned the boy's Soul Ring path. He intended the Ghost Vine as Tang San's second Soul Ring because he believed it could provide a Parasitic Seed ability to address Blue Silver Grass's limited attack range. 16

Following Xiao Chenyu's death, Yu Xiaogang defended Tang San before City Lord Xiao Dachuan, noting that Yu Cheng had also fought Xiao Chenyu and questioning whether Tang San alone had caused the fatal injury. 11 He attempted to leave Nuoding City to seek Flender's aid, but Liu Shan and several Soul Grand Masters ambushed him. Luo Sanpao incapacitated two attackers, yet Yu Xiaogang was struck down, fed a Soul Power-sealing pill, and imprisoned alongside Tang San. 12

In the dungeon, Yu Xiaogang blamed himself for failing to protect his disciple and tried to reassure Tang San despite fearing they would be secretly executed. 12 He was later rescued when Tang Hao eliminated the City Lord's forces, allowing Tang San to take him from the prison. 14

Yu Cheng's publication of the Ten Great Theories severely damaged Yu Xiaogang's standing. He discovered that Yu Cheng had successfully absorbed a first Soul Ring exceeding the 423-year limit Yu Xiaogang had promoted, and he was publicly dismissed as a “waste” by other Soul Masters. 22 The event left him dejected and caused Tang San to recognize that his teacher was not infallible. 22 23

After reviewing Yu Cheng's records, Yu Xiaogang regained confidence by identifying what he believed was an error: Yu Cheng's six-hundred-year first-ring limit did not match the Ghost Vine's estimated age. Yu Xiaogang calculated a revised limit of 623 years and resolved to challenge the wider theory. 39

He later traveled to the Pope's Palace to request Martial Soul Hall's Whale Rubber experiment data and to urge Bibi Dong to revoke Yu Cheng's “Grandmaster” title. Bibi Dong rejected his requests, recognized his attempt to claim credit through Martial Soul Hall data, and had him expelled and imprisoned. 51 More than a year later, Flender located and freed him from prison. 80

Appearance

Yu Xiaogang is depicted as a worn, middle-aged man whose condition deteriorates substantially following repeated setbacks and imprisonment. At the Pope's Palace, he wears a plain gray robe and keeps his hair in a neat crew cut streaked with gray-white. 51

• His usual appearance includes a buzz cut and restrained, stiff expression. 6 22
• Following Yu Cheng's rise, he is described as pale, haggard, unkempt, and bearded enough to resemble a beggar. 26
• After his imprisonment in Spirit City, his hair is matted and greasy, while his clothes are torn, filthy, and foul-smelling. 80

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is deeply invested in Soul Master theory and attaches great importance to the precision and recognition of his research. He treats Soul Ring age limits as exact figures, defending his original 423-year first-ring limit and later calculating a 623-year limit after Whale Rubber treatment. 39 51

His devotion to Tang San is genuine and often protective. He intervenes when Tang San faces City Lord Xiao, risks leaving Nuoding City to find aid, worries over Tang San's condition in prison, and continues to place his hopes in Tang San's eventual rise. 11 12 19

However, Yu Xiaogang's failures and public humiliation intensify his resentment. Yu Cheng's success leaves him convinced that honors meant for him were stolen, while his later imprisonment fuels a desire to prove himself through Tang San's future achievements. 26 52 His request for Yu Cheng's title to be revoked demonstrates how strongly his pursuit of recognition has overtaken his earlier idealism. 51

Abilities & Skills

Soul Master Theory and Soul Ring Planning

Yu Xiaogang specializes in researching Martial Souls and Soul Ring combinations, particularly for Tang San's Blue Silver Grass.

• He recognized that Tang San's Innate Full Soul Power implied either a mutated Martial Soul or Twin Martial Souls. 6
• He designed Tang San's intended second-ring path around the Ghost Vine and its potential Parasitic Seed Soul Skill. 16
• He promoted a 423-year limit for a standard first Soul Ring. 39
• After examining Yu Cheng's Ghost Vine case, he calculated a 623-year first-ring limit for Soul Masters using refined Whale Rubber. 39 51
• His research is limited by his lack of access to Martial Soul Hall's experimental data for higher Soul Rings. 39

Luo Sanpao

Yu Xiaogang's Martial Soul is Luo Sanpao, which he can summon alongside two hundred-year Soul Rings. 12

• Luo Sanpao's attack knocked down two Soul Grand Masters during Yu Xiaogang's ambush. 12
• The attack is described as a powerful fart-based blast. 12
• Yu Xiaogang was nevertheless quickly incapacitated after being struck by Liu Shan's staff, demonstrating his limited combat ability against a coordinated group. 12

Relationships

• Tang San — His only disciple and the person in whom Yu Xiaogang places his greatest hopes. He recognized Tang San's unusual talent immediately and repeatedly tried to protect him. 6 12 19
• Flender — A close old friend and sworn brother. Flender spent heavily to locate Yu Xiaogang and ultimately secured his release from prison. 71 80
• Bibi Dong — A former intellectual companion for whom Bibi Dong once held feelings. She previously supported the publication of his theories but later rejected his attempt to challenge Yu Cheng's title and ordered his imprisonment. 51
• Yu Cheng — A theoretical rival whose Whale Rubber research undermined Yu Xiaogang's established Soul Ring limits and public reputation. 22 39 51
• Lin Dashan — Dean of Nuoding Academy and an old friend who attempted to mediate the Xiao Chenyu case and advised Yu Xiaogang to seek Flender's assistance. 11 12
• Xiao Dachuan — City Lord of Nuoding and Yu Xiaogang's enemy during the Xiao Chenyu incident; Xiao Dachuan ordered Yu Xiaogang captured and imprisoned. 11 13