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; Golden Iron Triangle; originally the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan; formerly an Honorary Elder of Martial Soul Hall. 74 208 231 278
Occupation/Role	Soul Master theory researcher; Tang San’s teacher; former Shrek Academy Vice Dean; initially Thunderclap Academy Vice Dean, later identified as its Dean. 140 231 242
Martial Soul	Luo Sanpao, a pig-like martial soul resulting from a failed Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon mutation. 208 231
Innate Soul Power	Half-level Innate Soul Power. 74 159
Family	Son of Yu Yuanzhen, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan leader. 74 231
Status	Referred to as deceased by the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament semifinals; previously imprisoned in the Martial Soul Hall dungeon and designated for transfer to Slaughter City. Tang Hao subsequently plans a dungeon rescue, but no successful rescue or renewed appearance is established. 280 298 309
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

He is the son of clan leader Yu Yuanzhen, who gave him a Dragon-Shaped Jade Pendant at his martial soul awakening in the hope that he would inherit a powerful Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Instead, he awakened a pig-like martial soul. Yu Xiaogang retained the pendant after leaving home and once swore not to return to the clan unless he became one of the continent’s greatest powerhouses. 74 231

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 accompanied Tang San to the Soul Hunting Forest to obtain his first soul ring. After their subsequent confrontation with Jiang Liang left Yu Xiaogang unconscious and feverish, Tang San cared for him for three days. Yu Xiaogang was moved by this devotion, but also feared that Tang San’s doubts about his theories would jeopardize his hoped-for vindication. 38 41 43

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

Before Jiang Liang’s dismissal, Yu Xiaogang threatened to sever his friendship with Flender unless Flender expelled him. After Jiang Liang’s departure, Yu Xiaogang prohibited students from mentioning “Jiang Liang” or “Teacher Jiang,” enforcing the prohibition with running penalties and, in more severe cases, corporal punishment. 139 223

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

Their attempted refuge at Blue Tyrant Academy followed Shrek’s expulsion from Heaven Dou Royal Academy and rejection by other advanced academies. Yu Xiaogang privately expected Liu Erlong to seek his forgiveness and hand over her academy, rather than accepting Flender’s advice to apologize. Instead, Liu Erlong attacked him on sight and refused to shelter him. 227 229

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

Yu Xiaogang secured their acceptance at Thunderclap Academy by presenting his Dragon-Shaped Jade Pendant. He and Flender were initially appointed Vice Deans, and the Shrek students displaced most of the original main team. When Tang San subsequently replaced Yu Tianxin as captain, Yu Tianxin reported the matter to the clan. Yu Xiaogang was beaten under clan disciplinary rules, although he remained at the academy, and Yu Tianxin regained the captaincy. 231

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

Yu Xiaogang’s earlier seven-person fusion plan was ultimately realized by Tang San and Thunderclap Team during the tournament semifinals. The resulting Seven-in-One Martial Soul Fusion Skill created an energy storm powerful enough to overwhelm the arena barrier. 251 298

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

His journey also carried a personal revenge motive: after reaching Spirit City and receiving hospitality from City Lord Xiao, he fantasized about having Bibi Dong wipe out Jiang Liang and his entire group. 276

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

Yu Xiaogang remained imprisoned and tortured in the Martial Soul Hall dungeon, but he was referred to as deceased by the time Thunderclap Team used its Seven-in-One Martial Soul Fusion Skill in the tournament semifinals. The circumstances and exact timing of his death have not been disclosed. 280 298

During the later confrontation on Pope Mountain, Tang Hao nevertheless sought to stall his opponents while the Four Great Single-Attribute Clans rescued Yu Xiaogang from the dungeon, intending to regroup afterward. Bibi Dong revealed that Martial Soul Hall elders were lying in ambush there. These developments establish a rescue plan, not a successful rescue, and do not resolve the discrepancy with Flender’s earlier reference to Yu Xiaogang as his late friend. 298 309

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
• Has an average height, a slightly thin build, and an ordinary appearance; his short black hair is described as having a three-seven part when he arrives in Spirit City. 275
• During his journey to Spirit City, he becomes disheveled, grimy, exhausted, and beggar-like enough for Martial Soul Hall guards to refuse him entry. His eyes are bloodshot and surrounded by dark circles. 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

His attachment to Tang San includes moments of genuine warmth, such as his reaction to Tang San’s exhausted bedside vigil. However, these feelings coexist with deliberate manipulation: after persuading Tang San to renew his faith in his theories, Yu Xiaogang privately expresses relief that he has successfully fooled him. 43

Liu Erlong characterizes him as simultaneously extremely insecure and extremely arrogant, interpreting his recurrent fainting under provocation as a means of escaping humiliation. His refusal to apologize to her and expectation that she would surrender her academy illustrate his inflated sense of entitlement. 227 229

His revenge fantasies extend beyond defeating Jiang Liang in competition. While preparing to meet Bibi Dong, he imagines having Jiang Liang and his companions eliminated through her authority. 276

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
• Is associated with the maxim, “There are only trash Soul Masters, no trash Martial Souls,” which Tang San invokes in his defense. 140
• 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
• Claims that excessive training has placed Tang San’s martial soul into a temporary dormant period and rebukes Tang San for questioning this explanation. The actual weakening is later attributed to Ah Yin reclaiming the Blue Silver Emperor Bloodline. 186 241
• 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
• The Golden Iron Triangle’s fusion produces the Golden Sacred Dragon, using Luo Sanpao as its core and attaching the participants’ soul rings to it. Jiang Liang suggests that this temporary holy dragon transformation may represent Luo Sanpao’s true form, but this remains his interpretation. 208
• Conceived of expanding his prior experience into a seven-person Martial Soul Fusion Skill after observing Canghui Academy’s Seven Asura Illusion Realm. 249
• Recognizes Canghui’s technique as a fusion of soul skills and proposes going further by fusing the participants’ martial souls, using the Golden Iron Triangle as his precedent. 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
• Jiang Liang estimates the four-person fusion’s compatibility at barely over fifty percent and warns that outside disruption could damage the participants’ martial soul origins. Liu Erlong recalls that backlash from the Golden Iron Triangle’s fusion could leave its members unconscious and weakened. 255
• His seven-person fusion training was continued by Thunderclap Team and culminated in Tang San’s Seven-in-One Martial Soul Fusion Skill during the tournament semifinals. 251 298
• The Golden Iron Triangle’s fusion had enabled its members to fight across cultivation realms. Jiang Liang likewise treats the completed seven-person forced fusion as dangerous enough to withdraw his teammates and face Tang San alone. 298

Mentorship

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

• Accompanies Tang San to obtain his first soul ring in the Soul Hunting Forest. 38 41
• 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
• Orders Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar to forget Jiang Liang’s teachings and run twenty laps around the village, withholding food from anyone who fails to complete the quota. 145
• Uses running penalties and corporal punishment against students who mention Jiang Liang during his subsequent tenure at Shrek. 223
• 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
• The Seven-in-One Martial Soul Fusion Skill used by Tang San’s Thunderclap Team reflects the culmination of the fusion training Yu Xiaogang had initiated. 251 298
• Tang San continues to rely on his teacher’s presumed analytical ability during Yu Xiaogang’s absence, wishing he were present to explain Jiang Liang’s autonomous sword attacks. 265

Soul Master Cultivation

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

• His martial soul is Luo Sanpao, a pig-like manifestation of his failed Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon mutation. 208 231
• 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
• Dragon-Shaped Jade Pendant — A clan token given to him by Yu Yuanzhen at his martial soul awakening. He keeps it after leaving home and later uses it to secure admission and administrative appointments for himself and Flender at Thunderclap Academy. 231

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. Tang San cares for him through a three-day illness and repeatedly defends him against insults or attacks. 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. Tang San subsequently leads Thunderclap Team in completing the Seven-in-One Martial Soul Fusion Skill Yu Xiaogang had envisioned. 33 43 56 145 251 277 278 298
• 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. Yu Xiaogang threatens to end his friendship with Flender to secure Jiang Liang’s dismissal from Shrek and later hopes Bibi Dong will eliminate Jiang Liang’s entire group. 36 43 139 140 150 276 278
• 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. By the tournament semifinals, Flender regards Yu Xiaogang as his late friend. 139 229 230 255 298
• Liu Erlong — Former love interest and Golden Iron Triangle fusion partner. Liu Erlong initially defends his reputation, but Jiang Liang’s allegations that Yu Xiaogang knew her clan heritage and manipulated their relationship contribute to her emotional collapse. She later resents him for abandoning her in the past; their conflict ends with her expelling him from Blue Tyrant Academy. 72 74 208 228 229 230
• 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. During the Pope Mountain confrontation, Tang Hao plans to regroup with him after a rescue by the Four Great Single-Attribute Clans, although no successful rescue is established. 149 280 309
• 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. His complaint to the clan leads to Yu Xiaogang’s disciplinary beating and restoration of Yu Tianxin’s captaincy. Yu Xiaogang later convinces him to participate in the seven-person fusion plan. 231 243 249
• Yu Yuanzhen — Father and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan leader. He gives Yu Xiaogang his Dragon-Shaped Jade Pendant at awakening, hoping that his son will inherit the clan’s powerful martial soul. 74 231
• City Lord Xiao — An admirer of Yu Xiaogang’s theories who helps him enter Spirit City and provides food and lodging despite his disheveled condition. His son Xiao Chenyu and Wang Sheng are substantially less sympathetic toward Yu Xiaogang. 275 276
• Huo Wu — Blazing Fire Academy member who angrily rejects Yu Xiaogang’s proposed exchange of theoretical guidance for her academy’s inherited Ring Fusion technique. 247 248

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

After witnessing Tang San’s century-level first soul ring, he believes his disciple will vindicate his authority. Jiang Liang’s revelation of two ten-thousand-year soul rings undermines that confidence, and the ensuing dispute leaves Yu Xiaogang unconscious. He becomes further enraged when the Dean’s punishment for Jiang Liang amounts to a warning not to repeat the behavior. 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

At Nuoding’s graduation tournament, he expects Tang San’s level 29 cultivation and unusual techniques to defeat Jiang Liang, whom he assumes cannot have progressed far without his guidance. Jiang Liang’s level 59 cultivation, five ten-thousand-year soul rings, and one-move victory over Tang San instead cause Yu Xiaogang another severe breakdown. 53 54

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

He secures Flender’s support by threatening to sever their friendship if Jiang Liang remains. His subsequent training regime requires students to abandon Jiang Liang’s teachings, and mentioning Jiang Liang’s name becomes punishable by running or corporal punishment. 139 145 223

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

The confrontation occurs when Shrek seeks shelter and tournament eligibility after being expelled from Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Liu Erlong offers Flender entry into Blue Tyrant Academy if he excludes Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, but Flender chooses to remain loyal to them. 227 229 230

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

His initial admission relies on his clan pendant, and he and Flender are first appointed Vice Deans. The displacement of Thunderclap’s original team and Tang San’s temporary elevation to captain cause a clan dispute. Yu Xiaogang is subjected to a disciplinary beating after Yu Tianxin reports the situation. 231

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

Yu Xiaogang’s subsequent seven-person fusion training is carried forward by Thunderclap Team. In the tournament semifinals, Tang San activates the completed Seven-in-One Martial Soul Fusion Skill, producing an energy storm that overwhelms the arena barrier. 251 298

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

City Lord Xiao provides him with food and a comfortable guest room. After washing and resting, Yu Xiaogang imagines obtaining Bibi Dong’s help to eliminate Jiang Liang and his companions. 276

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

Before making his threat, he swears that Tang San will never become Martial Soul Hall’s enemy. Bibi Dong nevertheless reveals that she already knows about Tang San’s Twin Martial Souls and has sent assassins against him. 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

By the tournament semifinals, Flender refers to Yu Xiaogang as his late friend, identifying him as deceased after his imprisonment. The circumstances of his death remain unrevealed. 298

Tang Hao later expects the Four Great Single-Attribute Clans to rescue Yu Xiaogang from the dungeon while he delays Jiang Liang and Martial Soul Hall’s forces. Bibi Dong’s disclosure of a dungeon ambush undermines this plan; the available account does not establish Yu Xiaogang’s rescue or clarify the earlier death reference. 309

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
• He retains the clan pendant given to him at awakening even after leaving home, and eventually uses it to obtain Thunderclap Academy’s support despite his earlier vow not to return before achieving greatness. 231
• Yu Xiaogang’s seventeen-day journey on foot to Spirit City was undertaken because he could no longer afford carriage travel. 275
• Although he was imprisoned before the tournament’s later stages, the Seven-in-One Martial Soul Fusion Skill he had sought to develop was completed and used by Tang San’s Thunderclap Team. 249 251 298

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