Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚) |
| Alias(es) | Grandmaster; Master |
| Gender | Male |
| Affiliation | Notting Academy |
| Occupation/Role | Martial soul theorist; academy instructor; self-proclaimed “Soul Grand Master” |
| Status | Alive; escaped after being swallowed by a Datura Snake 18 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 9 |
Background / History
Yu Xiaogang appears at Notting Academy after the gatekeeper obstructs Tang Yin and Tang San’s enrollment. He verifies their Martial Soul certificates, apologizes to Old Jack on the academy’s behalf, and leads the brothers toward registration. Upon seeing their Innate Full Soul Power, he deduces that both may possess Twin Martial Souls, though Tang San denies it. 9
He attempts to establish authority through his “Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul,” citing 647 cases of Blue Silver Grass martial souls to argue that Tang San’s Innate Full Soul Power must come from a powerful second martial soul. When Tang Yin asks him to explain the Innate Full Soul Power of the Mysterious Jade Hand—called “White Jade Hand” in public—Yu Xiaogang declares it a degraded mutation and another “trash martial soul.” This earns Tang San’s lasting hostility. 10
Despite the brothers’ refusal to accept him, Yu Xiaogang insists on joining their first soul-ring expedition to the Soul Hunting Forest, citing his theoretical knowledge and possession of a storage soul tool. He repeatedly promotes his preferred soul-ring plans, including a snake-or-spider control path for Tang San’s Blue Silver Grass and defense-oriented rings for Tang Yin’s hand-type martial soul. 13 14
During a Datura Snake attack, Tang San secretly strikes Yu Xiaogang’s leg with a pebble, causing him to fall behind and be swallowed by the four-hundred-year soul beast. Yu Xiaogang survives inside the snake, later escaping through its cloaca and leaving the forest alone. 15 18
He later reunites with Tang Yin and Tang San at Notting Academy, claiming he killed the Datura Snake from within. He again condemns Tang San’s plant-type soul ring and the “Extreme Life Flow,” prompting the brothers and their companions to ridicule and threaten him. Yu Xiaogang privately vows that they will regret looking down on him. 19
Appearance
Yu Xiaogang is a thin, middle-aged man with a stern, rigid demeanor. He is usually dressed in a black scholar’s robe. 9 13
- Thin build and stiff facial expression. 9
- Short buzz cut and visible stubble. 9
- Wears a black scholar’s robe. 9 13
- After escaping the Datura Snake, he is covered in foul green slime and carries a strong stench. 18 19
Personality
Yu Xiaogang is confident in his martial soul theories and regularly presents them as definitive conclusions. He seeks recognition as a master of martial soul knowledge, attempting to instruct Tang Yin and Tang San even after they openly dismiss him. 10 14
He is persistent and unwilling to abandon potential disciples. After failing to recruit the Tang brothers, he later turns his attention toward Xiao Wu, only to be rejected after she is warned about him. 22
His self-assurance is paired with resentment toward humiliation. After Tang Yin, Tang San, and the other students mock him following his return from the Soul Hunting Forest, he silently vows revenge. 19
Abilities & Skills
Martial Soul Theory
Yu Xiaogang has researched martial souls for many years and promotes his “Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul.” 10
- Cites 647 recorded Blue Silver Grass cases, of which sixteen possessed soul power and none exceeded level one. 10
- Uses the relationship between Innate Soul Power and martial soul quality to infer the existence of second martial souls. 10
- Advocates a “Martial Soul Mimicry Theory” for Tang San’s Blue Silver Grass, recommending venomous snake- or spider-type soul rings for binding, paralysis, and toxicity. 14
- Provides practical information about soul beasts, their weaknesses, and Soul Hunting Forest precautions. 14
- His theories are rejected by Tang Yin and Tang San, who consider his proposed soul-ring paths unsuitable. 14 19
Luo Sanpao
Yu Xiaogang’s martial soul is Luo Sanpao, a pale-purple creature resembling a chubby pig-puppy with a white face and belly and large floppy ears. 15
- Yu Xiaogang is level 29 and considers himself capable of dealing with several injured ten-year Nether Wolves using Luo Sanpao. 14
- He summons Luo Sanpao when volunteering to demonstrate combat against the Nether Wolves. 15
- The Datura Snake attack interrupts his intended demonstration. 15
Survival
Yu Xiaogang survives being swallowed by a four-hundred-year Datura Snake. 15 18
- Remains alive because the Datura Snake possesses fangs but no other teeth. 17
- Escapes the snake after it dies, then immediately leaves the area to avoid other soul beasts attracted by blood. 18
Relationships
- Tang Yin — Attempts to recruit and instruct him after identifying his Innate Full Soul Power; repeatedly misjudges the Mysterious Jade Hand as a useless mutation. Tang Yin treats him with open contempt. 9 10 19
- Tang San — Seeks to guide him toward a snake-spider control build for Blue Silver Grass. Tang San despises Yu Xiaogang for insulting Tang Yin and secretly causes him to be swallowed by the Datura Snake. 14 15
- Director Su — Accompanies him and the Tang brothers on the academy’s soul-hunting expedition; is embarrassed by Yu Xiaogang’s conduct and later worries how to explain his apparent death to the dean. 13 14 17
- Old Jack — Old Jack trusts Yu Xiaogang as an academy teacher and initially leaves Tang Yin and Tang San in his care for registration. 9
- Xiao Wu — Yu Xiaogang later tries to recruit her after failing with the Tang brothers, but she rejects him. 22
- Datura Snake — Swallows Yu Xiaogang during the Soul Hunting Forest expedition; he survives and escapes after the snake’s death. 15 18
Story Role / Major Arcs
Notting Academy Enrollment
Yu Xiaogang verifies the Tang brothers’ certificates, escorts them toward registration, and begins probing the secret behind their Innate Full Soul Power. His dismissal of Tang Yin’s martial soul turns Tang San against him. 9 10
First Soul-Ring Expedition
He forces his way into the academy-sponsored Soul Hunting Forest expedition as a theoretical adviser. His advice is ignored, and he is swallowed by a Datura Snake after Tang San deliberately trips him during their escape. 13 15
Return and Humiliation
Yu Xiaogang returns alive to Notting Academy, claims credit for surviving the Datura Snake, and resumes arguing for his Snake-Spider Control Flow. Tang Yin and Tang San publicly reject him and threaten him into retreat. 18 19
Notable Quotes
“There is no need for you to rush to deny it. I, Yu Xiaogang, have studied martial soul theory for many years and have proposed the ‘Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul’.” 10
“With me here, I will certainly be able to plan the most suitable soul ring combinations for you!” 14
“I’m not dead! Haha! I, Yu Xiaogang, am not dead!!” 18