Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	“Grandmaster”; “Master”
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Notting Junior Soul Master Academy; Shrek Academy; Thunderclap Academy; formerly Blue Tyrant Academy; formerly an Honorary Elder of Martial Soul Hall
Occupation/Role	Soul Master theory researcher; Tang San’s teacher; former Shrek Academy Vice Dean; Thunderclap Academy Dean
Status	Alive; imprisoned in the Martial Soul Hall dungeon and designated for later transfer to Slaughter City
First Appearance	32

Power Progression

Stage	Advancement / Condition	Notes
Innate Soul Power	Half-level Innate Soul Power	His Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul mutation failed, leaving him with exceptionally low innate power. 159
Soul Grandmaster	Rank 29	Yu Xiaogang is repeatedly identified as a level 29 Soul Grandmaster despite his theoretical status. 140 141
Later reported rank	Rank 30	Zhao Wuji refers to him as only rank 30, though Yu Tianxin later continues to describe him as possessing only rank 29 Soul Power. 230 243

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang presented himself at Notting Junior Soul Master Academy as the continent’s foremost theoretical master and the author of the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul. He sought out well-connected or unusually gifted children as prospective disciples, hoping they could validate his theories. Upon hearing that Tang San possessed Innate Full Soul Power despite having Blue Silver Grass, he immediately decided Tang San could become the proof he needed. 32 33

Yu Xiaogang’s pursuit of recognition originated in his failed martial soul mutation and extremely low Innate Soul Power. As a disregarded member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, he became obsessed with altering his martial soul and proving his worth through theory. Jiang Liang later alleged that Yu Xiaogang cultivated his relationship with Bibi Dong to obtain Martial Soul Hall’s restricted research records on mutated martial souls. 159

After Jiang Liang publicly challenged his credibility and displayed unprecedented spirit rings, Yu Xiaogang became increasingly hostile toward him. He repeatedly attempted to use academy authority to punish or expel Jiang Liang, but was publicly humiliated and physically defeated on several occasions. 35 36 40 41

Yu Xiaogang encouraged Tang San to distrust Jiang Liang, insisting that Jiang Liang’s power came from luck while Tang San’s Twin Martial Souls and Yu Xiaogang’s guidance promised a greater future. His dependence on Tang San’s success became especially apparent after Tang San’s defeat by Jiang Liang. 43 54 56

At Shrek Academy, Yu Xiaogang served as Vice Dean and later held the title of Grandmaster. His continued targeting of Jiang Liang drove Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing to leave alongside Jiang Liang. 140 141 142

During the conflict between Shrek Academy and Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Yu Xiaogang attempted to invoke a Pope Token to avoid the consequences of a lost wager. Jiang Liang exposed the token as unauthorized and forced Yu Xiaogang to confess publicly that he had stolen Martial Soul Hall’s theories. 149 150

Yu Xiaogang’s past relationship with Liu Erlong ultimately collapsed. After Liu Erlong revealed her marriage to Jiang Liang and her resentment over Yu Xiaogang’s abandonment, she expelled Yu Xiaogang and Flender from Blue Tyrant Academy. Yu Xiaogang responded by vowing to achieve fame and make her regret humiliating him. 228 229 230

Following his expulsion, Yu Xiaogang and Flender joined Thunderclap Academy for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, where Yu Xiaogang became the academy’s dean. He tried to guide the hastily assembled Thunderclap Team and continued to treat Tang San as the center of his plans despite the worsening condition of Tang San’s Blue Silver Grass. 240 242

After seeing Canghui Academy’s seven-person fusion skill, Yu Xiaogang began developing a multi-person Martial Soul Fusion Skill for Thunderclap Team. His four-person fusion strategy, centered on Tang San’s Clear Sky Hammer, enabled the team to defeat Elephant Armored Academy and briefly restored his confidence in his theories. 249 255

When Tang San’s weakened Blue Silver Grass forced him to cultivate his Clear Sky Hammer, Yu Xiaogang left Heaven Dou City to seek Bibi Dong’s method for cultivating Twin Martial Souls. Unable to afford a carriage after losing his savings, he traveled to Spirit City on foot for seventeen days. 258 259 275

Yu Xiaogang expected Bibi Dong to support him, but she rejected his request after identifying Tang San as Tang Hao’s son and an enemy of Martial Soul Hall. When Yu Xiaogang threatened Martial Soul Hall over Tang San, Bibi Dong stripped him of his Honorary Elder position and ordered Yue Guan to imprison him before his eventual transfer to Slaughter City. 277 278

Appearance

Yu Xiaogang is a middle-aged man with a severe, stiff demeanor and a visibly shabby appearance. 32

• Short hair.
• A “zombie-like” face.
• Appears approximately forty to fifty years old.
• Wears a black robe faded to pale gray from washing.
• Often maintains a deliberately profound, expressionless posture. 32
• During his journey to Spirit City, he becomes disheveled, grimy, exhausted, and beggar-like enough for Martial Soul Hall guards to refuse him entry. 275
• After ten days in the Martial Soul Hall dungeon, he is gaunt, wounded, dressed in rags, and stripped of his former “Grandmaster” bearing. 280

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is deeply proud of his theoretical reputation and reacts angrily when his expertise is questioned. He presents himself as an authoritative mentor, but his pursuit of recognition is closely tied to finding disciples who can substantiate his research. 32 33 43

He is highly invested in Tang San’s accomplishments, repeatedly rebuilding Tang San’s confidence after defeats and framing Tang San’s eventual success as proof of his own theories. 43 56 145

His setbacks intensify his resentment. He holds grudges against Jiang Liang and Liu Erlong, uses institutional authority in personal conflicts, and refuses to accept humiliation or responsibility for his actions. 140 142 149 230

Yu Xiaogang is prone to self-aggrandizing promises, including claims that he can help Tang San and Flender become unmatched powerhouses. He repeatedly attributes Jiang Liang’s and Jiang Liang’s team’s growth to luck, forbidden techniques, or harmful forced advancement rather than acknowledging their ability. 43 56 231 240

Even after imprisonment, he continues to blame Jiang Liang, Yue Guan, and Bibi Dong for his circumstances. He places his hope of escape on Tang Hao and remains fixated on revenge against Martial Soul Hall. 280

Abilities & Skills

Martial Soul Theory

Yu Xiaogang is known for studying Martial Souls and publishing the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul.

• Claimed to have researched 647 Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul possessors. 43
• Claimed his theories could guide Tang San past the limitations of Blue Silver Grass. 43
• Later confessed to stealing Martial Soul Hall’s theories under Jiang Liang’s coercion. 150
• His theoretical judgment is challenged in-story when he cannot explain Tang San’s weakened Blue Silver Grass beyond attributing it to exhaustion. 186
• Dismisses Jiang Liang’s team’s rapid advancement as forced growth that will eventually cause backlash. 240
• Attempts to exchange his theoretical work for Blazing Fire Academy’s Ring Fusion technique, but Huo Wu rejects him and dismisses his offer. 247 248

Martial Soul Fusion Skills

Yu Xiaogang has genuine experience developing and directing multi-person Martial Soul Fusion Skills.

• He formerly formed the Golden Iron Triangle’s three-person Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Flender and Liu Erlong. 208 255
• Conceived of expanding his prior experience into a seven-person Martial Soul Fusion Skill after observing Canghui Academy’s Seven Asura Illusion Realm. 249
• Guided Thunderclap Team in using a Four-in-One Martial Soul Fusion Skill, with Tang San’s Clear Sky Hammer providing the decisive attack against Elephant Armored Academy. 255
• The fusion’s compatibility is considered limited because it forcibly combines martial souls of differing origins, making it vulnerable to interruption and severe backlash. 255

Mentorship

Yu Xiaogang is Tang San’s primary teacher and uses encouragement, promises of future power, and strict expectations to keep Tang San devoted.

• Emphasizes Tang San’s Twin Martial Souls and potential to become a Title Douluo. 43 145
• Consoles Tang San after major defeats and urges him to continue cultivating. 56 145
• His guidance is frequently tied to his wish for Tang San to validate his theories. 33 145
• Attempts to develop Tang San’s Clear Sky Hammer after Tang San’s Blue Silver Grass becomes ineffective. 258 259
• Designs Thunderclap Team’s fusion strategies around Tang San as their central member. 249 268

Soul Master Cultivation

Yu Xiaogang is described by others as a low-level Soul Grand Master.

• Zhu Zhuqing identifies him as level 29. 141
• Zhao Wuji later refers to him as only rank 30. 230
• Yu Tianxin subsequently derides him as a failed martial soul mutation with only rank 29 Soul Power. 243
• His limited combat strength leaves him unable to impose authority on stronger Soul Masters such as Jiang Liang. 36 40 141
• He is unable to resist Yue Guan, a level 95 Title Douluo, when taken into Martial Soul Hall custody. 278

Equipment / Items

• Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul — Yu Xiaogang’s purported theoretical work; Jiang Liang destroys a copy during a confrontation with Liu Erlong. 72
• Pope Token — A token originally given to Yu Xiaogang by Tang Hao. Yu Xiaogang used it to claim Honorary Elder status in Martial Soul Hall, but Jiang Liang seized it during the Shrek wager dispute. 149 150
• Storage Soul Tool — Used to carry his Pope Token and other belongings; he later gives a copy of his Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul to City Lord Xiao as payment for hospitality. 149 275 276

Relationships

• Tang San — Disciple. Yu Xiaogang treats Tang San as both a student and the hoped-for proof of his theories, repeatedly restoring his confidence after defeats. He later seeks Bibi Dong’s Twin Martial Soul cultivation method specifically for Tang San and threatens Martial Soul Hall when Tang San is targeted. 33 43 56 145 277 278
• Jiang Liang — Long-standing adversary. Jiang Liang publicly disputes Yu Xiaogang’s theories, repeatedly humiliates him, forces his confession to stealing Martial Soul Hall’s theories, and facilitates his final audience with Bibi Dong. 36 43 140 150 276 278
• Flender — Close ally who supports Yu Xiaogang even after his expulsion from Blue Tyrant Academy. Flender remains with him at Thunderclap Academy and continues to defend his fusion-skill plans. 139 229 230 255
• Liu Erlong — Former love interest. Liu Erlong resents him for abandoning her in the past; their conflict ends with her expelling him from Blue Tyrant Academy. 228 229 230
• Bibi Dong — Formerly connected to Yu Xiaogang through a past romantic relationship. She initially reacts protectively to Jiang Liang’s treatment of him, but ultimately rejects his request for assistance, strips his Honorary Elder title, and imprisons him. 44 277 278
• Zhao Wuji — Shrek Academy associate who openly dismisses Yu Xiaogang’s status and low cultivation after the Blue Tyrant Academy expulsion. 230
• Tang Hao — Tang San’s father and the source of Yu Xiaogang’s Pope Token. Yu Xiaogang later relies on Tang Hao as his hoped-for means of escaping Martial Soul Hall custody. 149 280
• Yue Guan — Martial Soul Hall elder who detains Yu Xiaogang on Bibi Dong’s order and repeatedly tortures him in the Martial Soul Hall dungeon. 278 280
• Yu Tianxin — Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan relative and Thunderclap Team member. Yu Tianxin openly disparages Yu Xiaogang’s failed mutation, low rank, and authority at Thunderclap Academy. 243

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recruitment at Nuoding Academy

Yu Xiaogang first approaches Jiang Liang as a potential disciple, then turns his attention to Tang San after learning of Tang San’s Innate Full Soul Power and Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul. 32 33

Feud with Jiang Liang

Yu Xiaogang’s rivalry with Jiang Liang escalates through repeated public confrontations at Nuoding Academy. He attempts to discipline, expel, and discredit Jiang Liang, but is beaten, slapped, or otherwise humiliated. 35 36 40 41 43

Tang San’s Mentor

After Tang San’s defeats and emotional setbacks, Yu Xiaogang reinforces Tang San’s faith in their teacher-disciple path. He characterizes Jiang Liang’s strength as luck and promises Tang San eventual supremacy. 43 56 145

Shrek Academy Conflict

As Shrek’s Vice Dean, Yu Xiaogang dismisses Jiang Liang from a teaching position and threatens students who choose to leave with him. His conduct alienates much of the academy. 140 141 142

Exposure and Downfall

Yu Xiaogang’s attempt to use a Pope Token during Shrek’s wager dispute leads to his exposure. Jiang Liang forces him to confess publicly to stealing Martial Soul Hall’s theories. 149 150

Expulsion from Blue Tyrant Academy

Liu Erlong’s confrontation with Yu Xiaogang reveals her long-standing resentment. Following her marriage to Jiang Liang, she expels Yu Xiaogang and Flender from Blue Tyrant Academy; Yu Xiaogang leaves vowing revenge and future success. 228 229 230

Thunderclap Academy and the Tournament

After joining Thunderclap Academy, Yu Xiaogang attempts to establish himself as a dean and lead its tournament team. His early strategies fail due to poor team coordination, Tang San’s weakened Blue Silver Grass, and conflict between the assembled members. 240 242

He later develops a Four-in-One Martial Soul Fusion Skill for Thunderclap Team and uses Tang San’s Clear Sky Hammer as its decisive force. The resulting victory over Elephant Armored Academy allows Yu Xiaogang to briefly claim that his theories have been vindicated. 249 255

Journey to Spirit City

Seeking a solution for Tang San’s Twin Martial Soul cultivation, Yu Xiaogang leaves Heaven Dou City for Spirit City. Having lost his savings, he travels on foot for seventeen days, is mistaken for a beggar at Spirit City’s gate, and ultimately relies on City Lord Xiao to enter the city. 259 275

Imprisonment by Martial Soul Hall

Yu Xiaogang asks Bibi Dong to reveal her method for cultivating Twin Martial Souls, but she identifies Tang San as Tang Hao’s son and refuses him. His threat against Martial Soul Hall results in the loss of his Honorary Elder status and his imprisonment in the Martial Soul Hall dungeon, pending transfer to Slaughter City. 277 278

While imprisoned, Yu Xiaogang is tortured by Yue Guan and becomes increasingly consumed by hatred for Jiang Liang, Bibi Dong, and Martial Soul Hall. He continues to hope that Tang Hao or Tang San will eventually rescue him. 280

Trivia

• Yu Xiaogang’s first attempt to recruit Jiang Liang uses the line, “I observe that your bones are extraordinary; you are in need of a master to guide you.” 32
• His ambition to mentor Tang San begins specifically because Tang San’s Blue Silver Grass and Innate Full Soul Power appear useful for proving his theories. 33
• His public reputation is repeatedly undermined by Jiang Liang’s displays of power, including Jiang Liang’s five ten-thousand-year spirit rings. 54
• He habitually clasps his hands behind his back to project a profound and unfathomable image. 32 236
• He is repeatedly angered into unconsciousness during disputes and tournament setbacks. 42 54 243
• Yu Xiaogang’s seventeen-day journey on foot to Spirit City was undertaken because he could no longer afford carriage travel. 275