Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Master; “Number One Theory Master” / foremost theoretical master
Gender	Male
Martial Soul	Three-Eyed Demon Fox 66
Soul Power	Level 29; unable to break through the level-thirty bottleneck 98 102
Affiliation	Shrek Academy; formerly associated with Blue Tyrant Academy through Liu Erlong 64 172
Occupation/Role	Martial Soul theorist; Tang San’s teacher 27 99
Status	Alive; later restrained in a wheelchair and forced to witness Shrek Academy’s defeats 247
First Appearance	Mentioned in Chapter 1 1

Background

Yu Xiaogang was expelled from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family and, unable to advance beyond Level 29, turned to Martial Soul theory as his means of proving himself 72 98. He built his reputation around the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls and became widely recognized as the continent’s foremost theoretical master 27 65.

According to Lu Ming’s revelations, Xiaogang gained access to Spirit Hall’s restricted library through his relationship with the then-Saintess Bibi Dong, using its confidential material as the basis for his theories 69 72 73. The same disclosures characterize his pursuit of Bibi Dong as motivated by access to the library rather than love 72 74.

After leaving Bibi Dong without warning when pressured by Spirit Hall, Xiaogang later developed feelings for Liu Erlong and intended to marry her before their blood relationship was exposed 99 100 101. Liu Erlong spent twenty years waiting for him, but ultimately rejected him after learning of his plagiarism and conduct toward Bibi Dong 102 103.

Appearance

Yu Xiaogang is depicted as a gaunt man with a characteristically stiff expression. He commonly wears faded cloth robes and carries himself with a restrained, self-important demeanor 102.

• Often maintains a rigid “master” posture, with his hands behind his back 102.
• His face visibly shifts color when his theories or lack of cultivation are challenged 66.
• His composed façade collapses under public humiliation; he cries and flees after Lu Ming’s debate 67.

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is intensely proud of his theoretical reputation. He treats the Ten Core Competencies as the achievement that defines his worth and repeatedly insists that his conclusions cannot be wrong, even after evidence contradicts them 29 66.

He is highly defensive when challenged. During his debate with Lu Ming, he abandons technical arguments once unable to respond and instead appeals to age and seniority 66. His confidence is closely tied to public recognition, making him emotionally fragile when his authority is undermined 66 67.

His conduct toward Tang San is portrayed as self-serving: Lu Ming states that Xiaogang selected Tang San for his Twin Martial Souls and used the disciple’s success to validate his own theories 99. Xiaogang nevertheless remains protective of Tang San, reacting with outrage when Lu Ming cripples him during their spar 206.

Abilities & Skills

Three-Eyed Demon Fox Martial Soul

Yu Xiaogang possesses the Three-Eyed Demon Fox Martial Soul and only half a level of innate Soul Power 66.

• His Soul Power remains at Level 29, preventing him from becoming a Spirit Elder 98 102.
• His low cultivation is repeatedly used by Lu Ming and Liu Erlong to challenge the credibility of his teachings 66 102 223.

Martial Soul Theory

Xiaogang’s chief area of expertise is his Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls, a framework he presents as the foundation for Soul Master cultivation 27 65.

• Advocates developing Blue Silver Grass through the Control System 26 29.
• Recommends beast-type Soul Rings, such as the Mandala Snake and Ghost Vine, to increase Blue Silver Grass’s toughness, toxicity, and binding power 27 65.
• Supports the Mimicry Theory: using animal Soul Rings to compensate for plant-type Martial Souls’ weaknesses 65.
• Maintains fixed Soul Ring absorption limits, including a 1,760-year limit for a third Soul Ring 137 164.
• His theories are exposed as derived from Spirit Hall library records rather than original research 69 73 223.
• Lu Ming’s Life System Blue Silver Emperor, ten-thousand-year third ring, and later Soul Douluo cultivation repeatedly contradict Xiaogang’s theoretical limits 26 137 164 216.

Teaching and Analysis

Xiaogang serves as Tang San’s teacher and interprets opponents’ abilities during Shrek Academy’s matches.

• Explains that Lu Ming’s Blue Silver Emperor suppresses Tang San’s Blue Silver Grass through bloodline dominance 28.
• Encourages Tang San to rely on the Clear Sky Hammer as a counter to control-type Martial Souls 28 29.
• Correctly identifies several battle concepts, including Spirit Fusion Skills and the strategic value of Oscar’s flight support 137 164.
• His analysis repeatedly fails to account for Lu Ming’s abilities, resources, and cultivation speed 119 137 216.

Relationships

• Tang San — Disciple. Xiaogang considers Tang San the ideal proof of his theories due to his Twin Martial Souls, while Tang San initially trusts him completely before beginning to doubt his teachings 27 66 99.
• Bibi Dong — Former lover. Xiaogang gained access to Spirit Hall’s library through her; she ultimately recognizes his deception and abandons her attachment to him 73 99 103.
• Liu Erlong — Former lover and cousin. Xiaogang intended to remain with her after abandoning Bibi Dong, but Liu Erlong rejects and expels him from Blue Tyrant Academy 100 102 103.
• Lu Ming — Primary critic and adversary. Lu Ming refuses Xiaogang’s offer of discipleship, publicly dismantles his theories, and exposes his plagiarism and personal history 64 66 69.
• Flender — Longtime associate and fellow Shrek Academy figure; they jointly observe and discuss Shrek’s matches 164 179.
• Shrek Seven Devils — Students who initially uphold Xiaogang’s authority and attempt to comfort him after his public breakdown 66 67.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Tang San’s Defeat and the Life System

After Tang San is crushed by Lu Ming, Xiaogang attributes the loss to the Blue Silver Emperor’s bloodline suppression rather than a flaw in his teachings 28. He dismisses Lu Ming’s Life System as an unorthodox dead end and reassures Tang San that the Control System and Clear Sky Hammer remain superior 29.

Attempt to Recruit Lu Ming

Having witnessed Lu Ming’s abnormal third Soul Ring and overwhelming strength, Xiaogang attempts to take him as a disciple in hopes of restoring his own authority 64. Lu Ming rejects him and challenges his Blue Silver Grass theory in public 64 65.

Public Debate and Humiliation

Lu Ming argues that forcing Blue Silver Grass into a control role sacrifices its natural vitality and perception merely to compensate for fragility 65. Xiaogang cannot answer the critiques of his Ten Core Competencies, resorts to attacking Lu Ming’s age, and is reduced to tears after his cultivation talent and dependence on women are exposed 66 67.

Exposure of Plagiarism and Relationships

Lu Ming reveals that Xiaogang’s theories were compiled from Spirit Hall records accessed through Bibi Dong 69 73. Further revelations expose his abandonment of Bibi Dong and his subsequent relationship with Liu Erlong, causing both women to sever their emotional attachment to him 99 100 103.

Collapse of His Theoretical Authority

Lu Ming’s ten-thousand-year third Soul Ring directly violates Xiaogang’s stated 1,760-year limit and leaves him unable to reconcile reality with his framework 137 164. Huo Wu’s rapid advancement and Lu Ming’s seventy-thousand-year fifth Soul Ring further destabilize his beliefs 177 178. Lu Ming’s eventual revelation as a Level 80 Soul Douluo is described as a complete humiliation of Xiaogang’s lifelong research 216.

Shrek’s Decline

Xiaogang publicly condemns Lu Ming after Tang San is crippled, while ignoring Tang San’s attempted lethal attack; the accusation leaves him humiliated when Lu Ming’s allies defend the act as self-defense 206. By Chapter 247, he is physically restrained and forced to watch Shrek’s students suffer successive defeats, destroying his hope that their success would vindicate him 247.

Notable Quotes

“According to my theory, the only path forward for a Blue Silver Grass martial soul—the bright and proper road—is the Control System!” 29

“There are no useless martial souls, only useless Soul Masters.” 172

“This is the result of half a lifetime of research and effort. It cannot be wrong!” 29

Trivia

• Xiaogang’s own theory is turned against him: if there are no useless Martial Souls, his inability to advance beyond Level 29 invites the question of whether he is an “useless Soul Master” 223.
• He initially believes Lu Ming cannot counter Shrek’s aerial strategy, only for Lu Ming to reveal Blue Silver Crystal Wings, a flying External Soul Bone 164 165.
• His strongest emotional reactions are triggered by criticism of his theories, his low innate talent, and allegations that he relies on Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong 66 67.