Grandmaster

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Grandmaster (大师)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Shrek Academy; formerly associated with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan
Occupation/Role	Soul Master teacher; Tang San's master
Status	Alive; last confirmed being forcibly taken from Spirit Hall custody toward the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan 228 229
First Appearance	Chapter 5

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang was born into the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan but was later expelled. His martial soul mutated, and his cultivation became permanently stalled at Rank 29; academy staff state that he had remained unable to break through for more than a decade. 5 115

He built his reputation around martial-soul and soul-beast theory, despite his limited combat strength. Before becoming Tang San's master, he investigated the unusual backgrounds and martial souls of Tang San and Ye Hao, particularly Ye Hao's resemblance to Bibi Dong and Death Spider Emperor martial soul. 6 9 11

At Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy, Yu Xiaogang accepted Tang San as his disciple after identifying his Twin Martial Souls from his certificate. Tang San came to regard him as a father figure, while Yu Xiaogang viewed Tang San as his best opportunity to prove that he could nurture a true powerhouse. 6 166

Appearance

Later in the story, prolonged violence and imprisonment leave Yu Xiaogang severely deteriorated. He is described as ragged, thin, disheveled, filthy, and mentally unstable after years without sunlight in the Spirit Hall Dungeon. 198 227

• His face swells badly after Dugu Bo strikes him, costing him two teeth. 114
• He is left badly injured after punishment by Xue Qinghe and subsequently appears with heavy bandaging. 179 185
• During imprisonment, he develops decaying black teeth and an overpowering stench. 227

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is highly invested in his identity as the “Grandmaster.” He repeatedly expresses confidence in his theories and believes that guiding Tang San to greatness will vindicate him before the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the wider Soul Master world. 143 166 178

His devotion to Tang San is genuine and paternal. He panics when Tang San is endangered, intervenes against Dugu Bo to enable Tang San's escape, and undertakes a difficult journey to Spirit City in an attempt to protect him. 112 113 198

However, repeated humiliation, imprisonment, and conflict with Ye Hao intensify his resentment toward Spirit Hall. He becomes increasingly consumed by revenge and openly plots to use Tang Hao and Tang Xiao against Ye Hao. 177 200

Abilities & Skills

Mutated Martial Soul: Luo San Pao

Yu Xiaogang possesses Luo San Pao, a mutated martial soul described as a pig-like creature. Its appearance causes Tang San to question his choice of master during their journey through Soul Hunting Forest. 11

• His martial soul mutation is tied to his stalled cultivation. 5 115
• His Soul Power is permanently fixed around Rank 29. 115 200

Martial Soul and Soul Beast Theory

Yu Xiaogang lectures Tang San and Ye Hao on Soul Masters, Martial Souls, and soul beasts while leading them through Soul Hunting Forest. 10 11

• He recognizes Tang San's Twin Martial Souls from the information on his certificate. 6
• He identifies the importance of acquiring soul rings to continue cultivation and leads Tang San and Ye Hao on a soul-beast hunt. 9
• Ye Hao publicly alleges that Yu Xiaogang's theories originated from Spirit Hall rather than being his own work; Yu Xiaogang does not concede the accusation. 143

Instruction and Planning

As Shrek Academy's teacher and team leader, Yu Xiaogang provides tactical guidance for tournament matches and cultivational advice for Tang San. 143 166 178

• He advises Tang San on the development of his Twin Martial Souls and regrets Tang San's early soul-ring attachment to the Clear Sky Hammer. 166
• His repeated confidence in Shrek's ability to defeat Ye Hao is challenged by Dai Mubai after the latter surrenders. 191
• He uses a Pope's Token to gain access to Spirit Hall, though this later results in his detention when its legitimacy is challenged. 170 171 200

Relationships

• Tang San — Disciple and surrogate son. Yu Xiaogang accepts him as a disciple after recognizing his Twin Martial Souls and centers his ambitions on raising Tang San into a powerhouse. 6 115 166
• Flender — Longtime friend and fellow Shrek Academy leader. They repeatedly support one another during crises involving Tang San and Spirit Hall. 58 112 177
• Liu Erlong — Former lover and close companion. She is deeply protective of him, including when Dugu Bo humiliates and strikes him. 107 114
• Ye Hao — Adversary. Yu Xiaogang suspects Ye Hao's connection to Bibi Dong early on, later blames him for his downfall, and joins plans to kill him. 9 11 177 200
• Bibi Dong — A figure from Yu Xiaogang's past whose connection to him remains emotionally significant. He travels to Pope's Palace seeking a method for Tang San's Twin Martial Souls. 129 166 200
• Dugu Bo — Hostile opponent. Dugu Bo beats Yu Xiaogang, expels him from his territory, and later threatens his life. 114 115 116
• Tang Hao — Tang San's father and an ally in Yu Xiaogang's efforts to protect Tang San and oppose Ye Hao. 166 172 200

Story Role / Major Arcs

Nuoding Academy and Soul Hunting Forest

Yu Xiaogang approaches Tang San and Ye Hao after learning that both possess Innate Full Soul Power. He accepts Tang San as his disciple, brings both boys to Soul Hunting Forest, and investigates Ye Hao's identity while teaching them about soul beasts. 5 6 9 11

During the hunt, he is swallowed by a Mandala Snake and rescued after Tang San and Ye Hao attack the beast. 13 14

Shrek Academy Mentor

As Tang San's teacher, Yu Xiaogang helps guide Shrek Academy and remains fiercely protective of his disciple. He becomes increasingly concerned after Tang San suffers losses and confronts threats from Dugu Bo and Ye Hao. 58 78 112

Tournament Humiliation

Yu Xiaogang challenges Ye Hao after Shrek Academy is defeated by the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Second Team. Ye Hao publicly attacks his competence, theories, and influence over Tang San; Yu Xiaogang collapses unconscious afterward. 143

He later continues to give Shrek tactical advice during the Promotion Tournament, but Dai Mubai directly criticizes his blind confidence after losing to Ye Hao. 191

Spirit Hall Captivity

After using a Pope's Token at the tournament, Yu Xiaogang is arrested and taken away by Spirit Hall personnel. He is tortured and imprisoned, while Tang San and Tang Hao are unable to rescue him. 171 172

He later infiltrates Pope's Palace and is deceived by Ye Hao, who impersonates Bibi Dong through the Heart of the God of Death. Yu Xiaogang reveals his plan to have Tang Hao and Tang Xiao kill Ye Hao before discovering Ye Hao's deception. 200

Presumed Death and Imprisonment

Ye Hao presents Tang San with a sack said to contain Yu Xiaogang's head, leading Tang San to believe his teacher is dead. Yu Xiaogang is subsequently revealed to have remained alive in the Spirit Hall Dungeon. 203 227 228

After two and a half years of imprisonment, Ye Hao removes him from his cell and sends forged letters to Tang San and Liu Erlong claiming that Yu Xiaogang has escaped and returned to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. 227 228

Notable Quotes

“There are no useless martial souls, only useless Soul Masters.” 143

“I, Yu Xiaogang, am invincible in theory.” 143

“Xiao San is like my own son. If anything happens to Xiao San, then no matter what, I'll devote the rest of my life to destroying Spirit Hall!” 200