Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Grandmaster
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Notting Academy
Occupation/Role	Martial Soul theorist; Tang San's teacher
First Appearance	8

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang is the son of Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan leader Yu Yuanzhen. Though he should have inherited the clan's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon bloodline, his body could not withstand the Holy Light Dragon's power; his Martial Soul consequently mutated into Luo Sanpao. 38

He remained at Notting Academy for years, regularly waiting near the entrance during work-study-student enrollment in hopes of finding a gifted disciple who could validate his Martial Soul theories. 8 12

When Wang Xian first enrolled, Yu Xiaogang dismissed his Blue Silver Grass and level-three Innate Soul Power as inadequate for the disciple he wanted. He advised Wang Xian to obtain a poison-attributed snake-type first Soul Ring, then left. 8

News that Wang Xian had defeated Xiao Chenyu led Yu Xiaogang to conclude that Wang Xian's Blue Silver Grass might be mutated. Believing a successful student with such a Martial Soul could prove his theories, he attempted to recruit Wang Xian. 12 Wang Xian rejected him by pointing out that Yu Xiaogang had ignored him at their first meeting, leaving Yu Xiaogang publicly humiliated. 13

Seeking to restore his prestige and spite Wang Xian, Yu Xiaogang later took interest in Tang San's Innate Full Soul Power. He deduced Tang San possessed a powerful second Martial Soul and accepted him as an apprentice. 19 20

Appearance

Yu Xiaogang is a middle-aged man with a stiff, perpetually serious demeanor and an unkempt, somewhat decadent appearance. 8

• Short black hair, styled in a side part. 8
• Noticeable stubble on his face. 8
• Often stands with his hands behind his back and chin raised when presenting himself as the “Grandmaster.” 12

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is deeply invested in his Martial Soul research and wants a talented disciple to serve as proof that his theories are correct. His pursuit of recognition drives him to wait for promising work-study students and to seize opportunities presented by unusual Martial Souls. 8 12

He initially judges others by their apparent Martial Soul quality and Innate Soul Power, as shown by his contempt for Wang Xian's Blue Silver Grass. Once he suspected mutation, however, he quickly changed his assessment and sought Wang Xian as a disciple. 8 12

Yu Xiaogang is proud of the title “Grandmaster” and speaks with deliberate confidence, but he is visibly unsettled when challenged about his earlier behavior. His rejection by Wang Xian leaves him embarrassed and resentful. 12 13 19

Martial Soul Theory & Knowledge

Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul

Yu Xiaogang presents his research conclusions as the “Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul.” He uses them to explain Martial Soul classifications, Soul Ring matching, cultivation, and restraint relationships. 20 24

• Investigated 647 people with Blue Silver Grass Martial Souls. 20
• Found that only 16 possessed soul power—less than three percent—and none exceeded level-one Innate Soul Power. 20
• Holds that Innate Soul Power is directly proportional to Martial Soul quality. 20
• Used Tang San's Innate Full Soul Power and Blue Silver Grass certificate to infer the existence of a second, far more powerful Martial Soul. 20

Luo Sanpao

Yu Xiaogang's Martial Soul is Luo Sanpao, a mutation connected to his inability to withstand the Holy Light Dragon's power despite his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon lineage. 38

Relationships

• Yu Yuanzhen — Father and leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. 38
• Wang Xian — Initially dismissed by Yu Xiaogang as having a “trash” Martial Soul; Yu Xiaogang later tried and failed to recruit him after suspecting a mutation. Their conflict fueled Yu Xiaogang's desire to regain prestige. 8 12 13 19
• Tang San — Disciple. Yu Xiaogang recognized Tang San's exceptional potential, deduced his Twin Martial Souls, and agreed to teach him. 20
• Luo Sanpao — His mutated Martial Soul. 38

Story Role / Major Arcs

Wang Xian's Enrollment

Yu Xiaogang intercepts Wang Xian at Notting Academy, examines his Martial Soul Certificate, and dismisses his Blue Silver Grass and level-three Innate Soul Power. 8

Attempt to Recruit Wang Xian

After Wang Xian defeats Xiao Chenyu, Yu Xiaogang reinterprets the Blue Silver Grass as a possible mutation and tries to recruit him. Wang Xian refuses, exposing Yu Xiaogang's earlier disdain before onlookers. 12 13

Tang San's Master

Yu Xiaogang intervenes when Tang San's certificate is questioned at the academy gate. He identifies the implications of Tang San's Innate Full Soul Power, takes him as a disciple, and positions Tang San as the genius who can validate his research. 19 20

Explaining Wang Xian's Strength

After Tang San loses to Wang Xian, Yu Xiaogang attributes Wang Xian's powerful Blue Silver Grass to a toughness-oriented mutation. He reassures Tang San that correct Soul Ring choices under his guidance will eventually surpass Wang Xian. 24

Notable Quotes

“I am not a teacher at this academy, just an idler who hangs around here for free meals.” 20

“You may call me—Grandmaster.” 12