Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Master (adopted after distancing himself from the Yu identity) 134
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Nuoding Academy (formerly); Shrek Academy 13 135
Occupation/Role	Soul Master theorist, educator, and Tang San's teacher 28 167
Status	Deceased; killed by Lin Xuan in the Star Dou Great Forest 185
First Appearance	Chapter 13 13

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang was the son of Yu Yuanzhen, leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Despite his noble background, he regarded his own low Soul Power and flawed cultivation as defining limitations, becoming heavily invested in Martial Soul theory instead. 19 134

At Nuoding Academy, Yu Xiaogang became interested in Tang San after learning that the boy possessed Innate Full Soul Power despite awakening Blue Silver Grass. He took Tang San as a disciple, paid to register him as a self-funded student, and covered his meals. 13 15 He taught Tang San a meridian-based meditation method, encouraged him to obtain Soul Rings, and repeatedly advised him to overcome Lin Xuan through superior Soul Power rather than direct physical combat. 19 28 33

His conflict with Lin Xuan began as an academic obsession. Yu Xiaogang investigated Lin Xuan's abnormal physique, considered possibilities such as a second Martial Soul, Body Martial Soul, Soul Beast bloodline, or transformed Soul Beast, and attempted to study him for publishable research. 38 41 After being rejected and punched by Lin Xuan, he became increasingly resentful and sought Lin Xuan's Dragon Blood to evolve his own Martial Soul, even requesting Flender's assistance. 41 56 64

Lin Xuan later retaliated publicly for Yu Xiaogang's attempt to involve Flender. Yu Xiaogang was tortured, had his limbs injured, and lost the Three-Eyed Flame Dragon King when it self-destructed to save him; the loss crippled his cultivation. 65 66 67 Unable to continue as a Soul Master, he devoted himself to guiding Tang San and preserving his reputation as a theorist. 68 81

After fleeing Nuoding City with Tang San, Yu Xiaogang learned that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Yu Yuanzhen had been destroyed. He chose to abandon the Yu Xiaogang identity and use the name “Master” while seeking safety and influence through Shrek Academy. 133 134 135

At Shrek, he continued working as an educator despite rapid aging and his crippled Martial Soul. Bibi Dong later reunited with him, and the two planned to cultivate Tang San as a potential divine inheritor and counterweight to Lin Xuan. 167 168 169

Yu Xiaogang eventually corrected Tang San's Soul Ring direction after learning of his Blue Silver Emperor potential. While guiding Tang San's absorption of a 1,900-year Blue Silver Grass Soul Ring in the Star Dou Great Forest, Yu Xiaogang was shot in the head by Lin Xuan and killed instantly. 169 185

Appearance

Yu Xiaogang initially carried a melancholic, aloof air and wore a recognizable flat-top haircut. After the destruction of his Martial Soul, he aged rapidly and became visibly frail. 13 167 168

• Signature flat-top haircut during his time at Nuoding Academy. 13
• Often maintained a stern, composed demeanor while instructing Tang San. 33 131
• His hair became almost entirely white after his cultivation was crippled. 167
• Later appeared haggard and elderly, with crow's feet and weathered skin. 168

Personality

Yu Xiaogang was proud of his theoretical knowledge and deeply sensitive about his weak cultivation. He initially dismissed Lin Xuan's prospects because of his Innate Level Three Soul Power, while treating Tang San's Innate Full Soul Power and Twin Martial Souls as proof of an exceptional future. 19 39

His intellectual curiosity frequently became self-serving ambition. He wished to examine Lin Xuan's body, acquire his blood, and publicize any discoveries to strengthen his reputation as “Master.” 41 56 He was also vindictive, privately planning for Tang San to surpass and punish Lin Xuan after Tang San's defeats. 27 43

Despite his flaws, Yu Xiaogang was genuinely attached to Tang San. He nursed him after losses, tried to preserve his mental state during his period of fear and isolation, revealed Tang Hao's identity to restore his confidence, and continued guiding his cultivation after losing his own Martial Soul. 27 68 81

Abilities & Skills

Martial Soul Theory

Yu Xiaogang possessed extensive theoretical knowledge concerning Martial Souls, Soul Rings, bloodlines, and Twin Martial Souls.

• Analyzed Lin Xuan's unusual strength through possibilities including Body Martial Souls, mixed bloodlines, and transformed Soul Beasts. 38 39
• Identified the need to conceal Tang San's Twin Martial Souls to avoid attracting dangerous attention. 79
• Recognized that Tang San's Blue Silver Grass carried Blue Silver Emperor potential after Bibi Dong explained his heritage. 169
• Corrected Tang San's later Soul Ring direction toward life-rich Blue Silver Grass rings. 185
• His judgment was fallible: he originally gave Tang San a poisonous Mandala Snake Soul Ring that hindered the Blue Silver Grass's path toward becoming the Blue Silver Emperor. 169

Cultivation Instruction

Yu Xiaogang functioned primarily as Tang San's teacher and cultivation planner.

• Provided Tang San with a meditation method involving meridian circulation. 28
• Directed Tang San to rely on Soul Power, Soul Skills, and realm advantage rather than confronting Lin Xuan's physical strength directly. 19 33 43
• Encouraged Tang San to continue cultivating Blue Silver Grass alongside the Clear Sky Hammer rather than abandoning one Martial Soul for the other. 78
• Continued advising Tang San after becoming unable to cultivate himself. 68 131

Three-Eyed Flame Dragon King

Yu Xiaogang's Martial Soul was the Three-Eyed Flame Dragon King.

• Its Dragon Bloodline was considered potentially strong enough to support Martial Soul Evolution through Lin Xuan's blood. 49 64
• Yu Xiaogang possessed Soul Power at Level 29 before his Martial Soul was destroyed. 38
• The Three-Eyed Flame Dragon King self-destructed to create an opportunity for Yu Xiaogang to survive Lin Xuan's attack. 66
• Its destruction crippled Yu Xiaogang's cultivation and ended his qualification as a Soul Master. 67 81

Innate Soul Skill

Even after losing his Martial Soul, Yu Xiaogang retained an innate, lifebound Soul Skill used for escape.

• Used it to flee an inn with Tang San and Bibi Dong immediately after encountering Lin Xuan. 184
• His instinctive response to Lin Xuan was to prioritize retreat over confrontation. 184

Relationships

• Tang San — Disciple and surrogate family. Yu Xiaogang funded Tang San's enrollment, trained him, defended him, and continued directing his cultivation after becoming crippled. 15 68 185
• Lin Xuan — Bitter enemy. Yu Xiaogang tried to research Lin Xuan's physique and buy his Dragon Blood, prompting Lin Xuan's retaliation, crippling, and eventual execution of Yu Xiaogang. 41 56 66 185
• Bibi Dong — Former lover and later ally. Bibi Dong retained strong affection for Yu Xiaogang and joined him in planning Tang San's growth and eventual revenge against Lin Xuan. 168 169
• Flender — Long-standing friend and ally. Yu Xiaogang summoned Flender to Nuoding City for help with Martial Soul Evolution, then later joined Shrek Academy after learning of Flender's death. 64 135
• Yu Yuanzhen — Father and leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Yu Xiaogang was shaken by the destruction of the clan and Yu Yuanzhen's death. 106 134

Story Role / Major Arcs

Tang San's Recruitment

Yu Xiaogang interrupts the competition among Nuoding Academy teachers to claim Tang San as his disciple after learning of his Innate Full Soul Power. He becomes Tang San's principal mentor and supports his enrollment financially. 13 15

Rivalry with Lin Xuan

Yu Xiaogang repeatedly encourages Tang San to surpass Lin Xuan, while becoming increasingly preoccupied with explaining Lin Xuan's strength and obtaining his Dragon Blood for research and Martial Soul Evolution. 19 38 56

Crippling and Loss of the Martial Soul

After seeking Flender's aid against Lin Xuan, Yu Xiaogang becomes Lin Xuan's first target upon his return to Nuoding City. Lin Xuan breaks his body and destroys the Three-Eyed Flame Dragon King, leaving Yu Xiaogang powerless. 64 65 66

Shrek Academy and the Blue Silver Emperor Plan

Yu Xiaogang flees with Tang San, abandons his former identity after the fall of his clan, and resumes teaching at Shrek Academy. With Bibi Dong's help, he attempts to place Tang San on the path toward the Blue Silver Emperor and Sea God inheritances. 134 135 169 170

Death in the Star Dou Great Forest

While celebrating his revised cultivation plan for Tang San, Yu Xiaogang is targeted by Lin Xuan, who considers him too useful to Tang San's development to leave alive. Lin Xuan kills him with a single shot before Bibi Dong can intervene. 185