Xiong Gang

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Xiong Gang (熊刚)
Alias(es)	Bear Monster; Black Bear
Species/Race	Evil Spirit; originally a bear monster
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Wu Xian's cave-survivor group
Occupation/Role	Frontline combatant, protector, and rescuer
Status	Alive; later leaves Kaoshan Village, marries Gong Xiujuan, and raises a bear-monster child with her 472
First Appearance	386

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Greater Wraith	451 463	Restores the Pain Cube and acquires the Bear Monster's ability. His transformed combat power rises to the Greater Wraith level, though he must actively resist the evil spirit nature attached to that power.

Background / History

Reform by the Fire Virtue Star Lord

Xiong Gang was once a bear monster that fed on humans. About ten years before entering the underground maze, he intended to massacre a group of campers, but heard scriptures being recited amid flames and saw the outline of a red-robed deity. The sound calmed his violent killing intent; he later identified the deity as the Southern Three Qi Fire Virtue Star Lord. He abandoned his planned slaughter, disguised himself as a child, and entered a human village. 404

He grew up without parents, relying on food provided by village households. Although the villagers eventually accused him of stealing livestock and murdering people, Xiong Gang claimed he had forgiven them rather than harboring resentment. 387

Kaoshan Village

Xiong Gang became Uncle Wang's assistant and was regarded as honest, hardworking, and a desirable marriage prospect despite his intimidating appearance. 453 After Uncle Wang's death, livestock began disappearing. Xiong Gang investigated the incidents and exposed the new veterinarian, Wang Lang, as a dog-like monster using Uncle Wang's black wolfskin funeral garment. 453

Wang Lang framed Xiong Gang as a murderer, while Aunt Wang was later revealed to be controlled by the wolfskin garment. Other villagers also transformed under its influence and pursued him. Xiong Gang fled and ultimately entered the underground maze. 453 454

Appearance

In human form, Xiong Gang is a stout, powerfully built man with a stubbled face, fierce features, unusually hairy arms, and a preference for worn clothing such as a tattered vest. He was first encountered bloodied and wounded in the darkness of the cave. 386

• His physique is broad and stocky rather than conventionally muscular. 386
• His true form manifests coarse black fur, fangs, enlarged limbs, and overwhelming physical pressure. 397
• After using the Pain Cube, he can become a black giant bear over four meters tall. 451
• He can also assume a partial bear-human form, with one side of his face retaining bear-like features. 451 455

Personality

Xiong Gang is compassionate, direct, and unusually forgiving for an evil spirit. He concealed his identity because he feared being rejected, not because he intended to prey on the survivors. Even after being attacked by Huang Debiao and treated as a threat by Wu Xian, he repeatedly chose not to retaliate against them. 396 397 404

He is strongly protective of vulnerable people, especially Zhao Zixuan. He risks himself to retrieve survivors from the Yin House, volunteers as bait to gather intelligence, and regards preserving more living people as increasing everyone's chance of survival. 405 420

His empathy can be exploited: the Fluid Monster's imitation of cries for help drove him into a reckless rescue attempt until Wu Xian broke the mental influence. 420 After integrating the Bear Monster's power, he becomes somewhat fiercer, but retains enough self-control to resist its violent nature. 451 455

Abilities & Skills

Bear Physiology and Transformation

Xiong Gang can shift between a human disguise, a partial bear-human state, and a full black-bear form.

• Possesses immense brute strength; he can smash furniture, break restraints, and overpower ordinary evil spirits through direct force. 423 426
• His bear roar can intimidate enemies, including Huang Debiao and groups of minor evil spirits. 396 426
• His physical resilience is high; Huang Debiao's spider-leg stab left only a superficial wound despite striking Xiong Gang's chest. 397
• His strength cannot overcome every supernatural defense. Repeated punches could not touch the Yin House's true body due to its protective boundary. 419 423
• Sustained combat can exhaust him severely, forcing him back into human form and leaving him unable to continue fighting. 426 432

Bear Monster Ability

By restoring the Pain Cube, Xiong Gang obtained the ability of the Bear Monster previously associated with Zhao Zixuan. 451

• Transforms into a giant black bear over four meters tall, with claws capable of gouging deep marks into rock. 451
• Gains enhanced smell, hearing, and energy perception; he detected the approaching wolfskin funeral garment immediately after telling his story. 455
• His evolved form reaches the Greater Wraith level and initially overpowers the Maze Will in direct physical clashes. 463
• The acquired power carries an evil spirit nature that can influence its user. Xiong Gang withstands it through prior experience overcoming his own murderous impulses. 450 451
• The Maze Will's fear-inducing eyes can still overwhelm him mentally, causing him to falter in battle despite his greater strength. 463

Tracking and Rescue

Xiong Gang is adept at following scents and reacting quickly to danger.

• Tracked missing livestock by scent while investigating the incidents in Kaoshan Village. 453
• Located and protected Zhao Zixuan in the cave, then attempted to guide him back to the survivors before the darkness could destroy the boy's mental state. 405
• Entered the Yin House as Wu Xian's bait, destroying its interior, observing its liquid form, and attempting to relay crucial information through a makeshift megaphone. 423 424

Items

• Pain Cube — Restored under Wu Xian's guidance; its spikes pierced Xiong Gang's hands as it granted him the Bear Monster's ability. 450 451

Relationships

• Wu Xian — Initially suspected Xiong Gang of being a hostile evil spirit, but later accepts him as an ally after witnessing his protection of Zhao Zixuan and his hostility toward the cave's native evil spirits. Their relationship develops into mutual trust in combat. 395 404 420 450
• Gong Xiujuan / Red Lips Female Evil Spirit — Fellow survivor and eventual wife. Gong Xiujuan worries for him during the Pain Cube ritual and makes him clothes afterward; they later marry and have a bear-monster child. 451 472
• Zhao Zixuan — A frightened boy Xiong Gang protects in the cave. Xiong Gang repeatedly risks himself to rescue him from the Fluid Monster and Yin House. 405 420 427
• Uncle Wang — Former employer and emotional father figure. Xiong Gang worked as his veterinarian's assistant and grieved deeply after his death. 452 453
• Kaoshan Village residents — The community that raised him, then falsely accused and chased him during the wolfskin garment incidents. He later returns, but leaves when their guilt and avoidance make reconciliation impossible. 387 472
• Wolfskin Funeral Garment — The evil spirit responsible for the village's transformations and Xiong Gang's framing. Xiong Gang draws it into the maze through his story and tears it apart in revenge. 454 455

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Arrival in the underground maze — Xiong Gang appears as a frightened survivor in the darkness, but his name, strength, and timing make Wu Xian suspect that he is an evil spirit created by a ghost story. 386 395
• Exposure and reconciliation — Huang Debiao stabs him, forcing Xiong Gang to reveal his bear form. He withdraws rather than attacking, and Wu Xian later reconciles with him after learning of his reformation by the Fire Virtue Star Lord. 396 397 404
• Yin House rescue — He protects Zhao Zixuan, investigates the Fluid Monster, volunteers as bait, and enters the Yin House to help Wu Xian uncover its weaknesses and recover its controller's Ghost Body. 420 423 427
• Pain Cube evolution — Facing the Maze Will, Xiong Gang deliberately endures the Pain Cube's torture to gain greater strength and become a giant bear without surrendering his identity. 450 451
• Revenge on the wolfskin garment — By recounting his past, he summons the wolfskin funeral garment into the maze, detects it with his enhanced senses, and destroys it. 452 454 455
• Battle against the Maze Will — As a Greater Wraith, Xiong Gang initially contests the Maze Will in close combat, but is defeated after its countless eyes inflict overwhelming terror. 463
• Future after the maze — He returns to Kaoshan Village, finds the villagers freed from the wolfskin's control, then leaves because their guilt prevents reconciliation. He reunites with Gong Xiujuan, becomes a security guard, and builds a family with her. 472

Notable Quotes

“Well... I've forgiven them.” 387

“If there really is such a person... then he will be the enemy of all of us!” 450

“I want the Bear Monster's ability!” 451