Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	“Master”; theoretical master
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Shrek Academy 13 61
Occupation/Role	Shrek Academy dean; Martial Soul theorist and instructor 61
Soul Power	Level 29 Soul Grand Master; unable to break through to level 30 30 31
Martial Soul	Luos an Pao, described as a pig that only farts 31
First Appearance	Chapter 13

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang was widely known as the “Master,” a theorist whose teachings included the Ten Core Competitive Theories and the maxim that “there are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters.” He believed his work would become the Soul Master world’s definitive theoretical guide. 14 15

After an organized campaign elevated Jixia Academy while questioning his theories, Yu became the target of public ridicule in Heaven Dou City. Rather than withdraw, he led Flender, Liu Erlong, and the Shrek Seven Devils to Jixia Academy, intending to defeat it in theory and practice, restore his reputation, and gain further fame. 13 14

At Jixia’s gate, Li Xin denied him entry and dismissed his theories. Gongsun Li then challenged the foundations of his teachings, questioning both his claim that effort alone could overcome poor Martial Souls and the limited data behind his Soul Ring absorption-age theory. Unable to rebut her arguments, Yu’s confidence and composure collapsed. 15 16

When Ma Hongjun harassed Gongsun Li and was severely punished, Yu defended Ma’s conduct and accused Gongsun of being unreasonable. Her Six-Ring Soul Emperor aura forced him and the Shrek group to retreat from Jixia Academy in humiliation. 17

His reputation deteriorated further after Jixia Academy’s strength became publicly known. In Heaven Dou City, commoners openly called his teachings misleading and ridiculed his inability to advance beyond level 29. 30

Lu Ming later confronted Yu at a tea stall, using Yu’s own maxim against him: if no Martial Soul was useless, then Yu’s stagnant cultivation and unresolved Martial Soul mutation indicated that he himself was a “useless Soul Master.” Lu Ming also accused him of repackaging common knowledge and conclusions from older records as original theory. Yu suffered a psychological breakdown under the public condemnation. 31 32

During Bibi Dong’s attack on Lu Ming, the Snow Empress effortlessly defeated her. Seeing the woman he relied upon overwhelmed, Yu fled in terror, abandoning Dai Mubai at the scene. The incident became another major blow to both his and Shrek Academy’s public standing. 33 35

Yu later served as Shrek’s dean during its tournament match against Jixia Academy. After Tang San and the team were decisively defeated, he conceded the match and was left questioning the validity of his own theories. 61

Following Tang Hao’s death at Jixia Academy, Yu remained with the traumatized Tang San. He reacted with alarm when Tang proposed seeking Sea God Island, warning that it was a forbidden place where even Martial Soul Hall had suffered catastrophic losses. 72 73

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is intensely proud of his theoretical status and reacts sharply when his work or title is questioned. He repeatedly presents himself as the continent’s foremost authority on Martial Soul theory, even after public refutations and repeated failures. 14 15 30

His confidence often becomes denial. Despite being unable to answer criticisms of his theories or explain his own lack of cultivation progress, he continues to insist that the public is simply too ignorant to recognize his brilliance. 30 31 32

He is deeply invested in Tang San’s success and is distressed by Tang’s suffering after Tang Hao’s death. However, his flight during Bibi Dong’s defeat and his defense of Ma Hongjun’s misconduct expose a self-preserving and morally compromised side. 17 33 72

Abilities & Skills

Martial Soul Theory

Yu Xiaogang’s primary expertise is theorizing about Martial Souls, Soul Ring absorption, and cultivation.

• Developed and promoted the Ten Core Competitive Theories. 14 15
• Advocates that diligent cultivation can allow even weak Martial Souls to become strong. 15 31
• Established proposed Soul Ring absorption-age limits, including 423 years for a first ring and 764 years for a second ring. 15
• His conclusions are criticized by Gongsun Li and Lu Ming as limited, speculative, derivative, and contradicted by Jixia Academy’s students. 15 16 32

Analysis of Opponents

Even after losing confidence in his broader theories, Yu attempts to analyze unfamiliar combat methods.

• Identified that Gongsun Li’s movement involved swapping places with her umbrella rather than conventional Teleport. 58
• Noted that her umbrella-based attacks and exploding maple leaves did not conform to traditional tool Martial Soul logic. 61
• His analyses do not provide Shrek with an effective answer to Jixia Academy’s combat methods. 61

Cultivation Limitations

Yu’s personal cultivation is a central weakness repeatedly used against his teachings.

• Remains at level 29 and cannot advance to level 30. 30 31
• Describes his Martial Soul as a malignant mutation when challenged over his lack of progress. 32
• Is unable to resolve his own Martial Soul’s flaws despite presenting himself as an authority on Martial Soul cultivation. 32

Relationships

• Tang San — Disciple who treats Yu as a father-like teacher and fiercely defends his dignity; their bond is strained by Shrek’s defeat and Tang’s growing desire for revenge. 14 15 61
• Flender — Shrek associate who accompanies Yu to Jixia Academy and recognizes when the group must retreat. 13 17
• Liu Erlong — Travels with Yu and the Shrek group; Qian Renxue later claims Yu has been attempting to rekindle an old relationship with her. 13 35
• Bibi Dong — Protects Yu after his humiliation and attacks Lu Ming in his defense; her support is shaken after Yu flees when she is defeated. 24 33 35
• Gongsun Li — Publicly dismantles Yu’s theories at Jixia Academy, triggering his crisis of confidence. 15 16
• Lu Ming — Publicly exposes Yu’s stagnant cultivation and challenges the legitimacy of his theories, causing Yu to collapse psychologically. 31 32
• Dai Mubai — Remains with Yu in Heaven Dou City after Shrek’s setbacks and witnesses his public humiliation and flight. 30 33

Major Arcs

Jixia Academy Visit

Yu leads Shrek to challenge Jixia Academy in hopes of restoring his status. He is denied entry, defeated in a theoretical debate by Gongsun Li, and forced to withdraw after the confrontation escalates. 14 15 17

Collapse of Reputation

Public criticism intensifies after the Jixia incident. Lu Ming exposes the contradiction between Yu’s teachings and his own level-29 cultivation, turning him into a widely mocked figure in Heaven Dou City. 30 31 32 35

Shrek’s Defeat

As Shrek’s dean, Yu watches Jixia Academy crush the team in the tournament. He concedes after Tang San is injured and humiliated, leaving his faith in his theories severely damaged. 61

After Tang Hao’s Death

Yu stays beside Tang San after Tang Hao is killed by Jixia Academy. When Tang seeks a desperate path to power through Sea God Island, Yu warns him that the location is effectively suicidal. 72 73

Notable Quotes

“My ‘Ten Core Competitive Theories’ will inevitably become the supreme theoretical guidance book for the Soul Master world in later generations, remembered for eternity!” 14

“The human body has limits! That’s an ironclad rule!” 15

“I concede!! Shrek... concedes!!” 61

Trivia

• Yu considers criticism of his theories more intolerable than criticism of his cultivation aptitude. 15
• His inability to advance beyond level 29 becomes the most frequently cited contradiction to his “no useless Martial Souls” principle. 30 31 35
• In a simulated future, Qian Renxue deliberately arranges for Jixia Academy to publicly defeat Shrek and discredit Yu’s theories as part of her strategy against Tang San. 40