Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Gangzi; Grandmaster
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan (formerly); Martial Soul Hall (former researcher/guest); Shrek Academy
Occupation/Role	Soul master theorist; Tang San's teacher
Status	Alive
First Appearance	17
Soul Power	Level 29 Soul Grand Master 23 141
Martial Soul	Externalized Beast Martial Soul; its true form is the Golden Sacred Dragon 145

Power Progression

Stage	Details
Innate state	Born with only half-level innate soul power. His unusual martial soul could not undergo ordinary Beast Martial Soul Possession. 25 145
Current cultivation	Remained a level 29 Soul Grand Master despite his age and theoretical pursuits. 23 141
Latent potential revealed	His externalized martial soul's true form is the super martial soul Golden Sacred Dragon, which dominates the Golden Iron Triangle's fusion skill. 145 147
Lost evolution path	Hu Liena reveals that his unsuitable first two spirit rings cost him the opportunity for a second awakening into the Golden Sacred Dragon. 147

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang was born the son of Yu Yuanzhen and possessed only half-level innate soul power. His unusual Beast Martial Soul could not undergo ordinary Martial Soul Possession, leaving him labeled as “trash” and driving his determination to overcome his limitations through theory. 25 145

After researching the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's materials without finding a solution, he entered Martial Soul Hall with Qian Xunji's permission. There he sought access to more valuable and classified theoretical knowledge, eventually meeting the then-Saintess Bibi Dong. 25

According to Su Ye's account, Xiaogang used Bibi Dong to access Martial Soul Hall's theories, then produced the error-riddled Invincible Theory despite having access to both clan and Martial Soul Hall knowledge. 25 87 He later fled when pressured by Qian Xunji, but allegedly framed Bibi Dong as the one who had betrayed their relationship. 26

He also formed a relationship with Liu Erlong. Their planned wedding was interrupted when Yu Luomian revealed their close blood relation; Xiaogang then fled, leaving Liu Erlong behind. 27 He was later revealed to have had descendants with her despite his prior stance on their relationship. 134

Bibi Dong subsequently arranges for his Soul Master subsidy to be revoked and for Martial Soul Hall's accusation that he plagiarized and altered its theories to be publicized. The announcement severely damages the reputation on which Xiaogang had built his identity. 82 137 236 239

Appearance

Yu Xiaogang cultivates the bearing of a secluded expert, often standing with his hands behind his back and speaking with deliberate confidence. His actual level and later physical deterioration sharply contrast with that presentation. 141 163

• Soul power is only level 29. 23 141
• His externalized Beast Martial Soul is considered a unique case on the continent. 145
• Observers describe him as having a flat-top haircut and an expressionless, “zombie-like” face; his principal distinguishing feature is his habit of putting on airs. 140
• After Flender's debt arrangement, he appears exhausted: dull, sunken eyes; sallow, feverish complexion; loose skin; hunched posture; and a weak voice. 163

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is portrayed as highly prideful and deeply unwilling to accept his poor innate talent. His pursuit of recognition drives his obsession with theory, reputation, and proving that he is not a failure. 25 136

He habitually presents himself with confidence even when confronted by evidence against his claims. During his confrontation with Su Ye's group, he maintained a superior demeanor despite his low soul power and repeatedly exposed theories. 141 144 163

His pride is coupled with deep insecurity over his half-level innate soul power and an aristocratic sense of superiority rooted in his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan lineage. He looks down on people with lower innate soul power and even treats Flender, who has long supported him, with contempt. 262

Xiaogang is notably harsher toward familiar companions than toward dangerous outsiders. He readily acts superior before Flender, yet immediately backs down when Dugu Bo orders him to leave, costing him further respect among the Shrek group. 132 219

His concern for Tang San is genuine on a surface level, but Su Ye characterizes the master-disciple relationship as fundamentally exploitative: Xiaogang selected Tang San as the first test subject for untested theories and valued his talent as a means to validate the Invincible Theory. 136 He nevertheless prioritizes Tang San when considering Su Ye as a potential disciple, believing both youths could serve his ambitions. 137

Abilities & Skills

Externalized Beast Martial Soul

Yu Xiaogang's martial soul cannot use standard Beast Martial Soul Possession. Its true form is the Golden Sacred Dragon and serves as the core of the Golden Iron Triangle's Martial Soul Fusion Skill. 145

• Identified as the continent's only known externalized Beast Martial Soul. 145
• Has the potential of a “child of destiny” type of martial soul, though Xiaogang is stated to have lacked the drive to realize it. 145
• His Fire Dragon-related fusion with Liu Erlong and Flender forms the famous Golden Sacred Dragon. 145
• The Golden Sacred Dragon is stated to surpass the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon in martial soul quality. 147
• His poor choices for his first two spirit rings allegedly eliminated his chance to trigger the martial soul's second awakening. 147

Theoretical Knowledge

Xiaogang claims extensive theoretical knowledge and frequently offers conclusions on soul rings, martial soul quality, and inheritance. 144 146 148 163

• His Invincible Theory includes the assertion that “there are no trash martial souls, only trash soul masters.” 144
• His stated third- and fourth-spirit-ring age limits were surpassed by Tang San's actual rings. 136
• His claims concerning innate soul power, plant-type martial souls absorbing beast rings, and martial soul inheritance are ridiculed or debunked by Hu Liena and others. 146 148
• His theory of Twin Martial Souls contradicts his own assertion that a child's weaker inherited martial soul is consumed by the stronger one. 148
• He seeks Su Ye's method for absorbing a spirit ring beyond conventional limits, believing his own knowledge base could analyze it. 163
• After learning that his martial soul may have been ruined by his own spirit-ring choices, he considers obtaining and practicing Tang San's Mysterious Heaven Skill to awaken it. 147
• His theories were initially untested; Tang San was allegedly his first practical test subject. 136
• Martial Soul Hall later publicly identifies an unnamed plagiarist who copied, altered, and released its theories in ways that harmed soul masters; Xiaogang recognizes that the announcement concerns him. 239

Golden Iron Triangle Fusion Skill

Yu Xiaogang is one of the Golden Iron Triangle, alongside Flender and Liu Erlong. Their Martial Soul Fusion Skill is centered on Xiaogang's martial soul and manifests the Golden Sacred Dragon. 145

• Liu Erlong's Fire Dragon is a mutation of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, a connection Xiaogang is accused of having had reason to recognize. 27
• Su Ye alleges Xiaogang approached Liu Erlong partly to take the leading role in their Martial Soul Fusion Skill. 199

Relationships

• Tang San — Disciple. Xiaogang trained Tang San and publicly treats him as a beloved disciple, but Su Ye alleges he chose Tang San to test and validate his theories. Tang San gradually begins doubting him after repeated contradictions. 81 136 145 146 After learning that his early poison-attribute rings damaged his Blue Silver Emperor path, Tang San develops killing intent toward Xiaogang, though Xiaogang attempts to preserve their bond by promising to make him famous through his Twin Martial Souls. 147 152
• Bibi Dong — Former lover and former Martial Soul Hall Saintess. Xiaogang met her while seeking Martial Soul Hall's classified theory; Su Ye alleges he used her access to obtain knowledge. 25 87 She later revokes his subsidy and publicizes the theft and alteration of Martial Soul Hall theories, destroying his standing as a theorist. 82 137 236 239
• Liu Erlong — Former lover and Golden Iron Triangle partner. Their wedding was called off after their familial connection was exposed, after which Xiaogang fled. 27 After reassessing their past, Liu Erlong becomes openly hostile toward him, slaps and beats him publicly through a livestream, and later kicks him for attempting to defend Tang San. 236 240
• Flender — Longtime friend and Golden Iron Triangle partner. Flender brings Xiaogang to assist with Shrek's crisis, later manipulates him into a debt-paying arrangement and ultimately pays off his debt. 132 153 167 Although Flender repeatedly supports him, Xiaogang habitually treats him with disdain. 132 262
• Hu Liena — Opponent during the Suotuo City confrontation. On Bibi Dong's orders, she beats him, retrieves the Pope's Order, and exposes contradictions in his theories through interrogation. 143 144 She later humiliates him again by displaying five black soul rings and forcing him to confront the limitations of his understanding. 239
• Su Ye — Adversary. Xiaogang seeks to take Su Ye as a disciple to restore his reputation and improve Tang San's future, but Su Ye repeatedly exposes and humiliates him. 137 145 163 When Xiaogang attempts to claim partial credit for Su Ye's spirit-ring research in the name of benefiting the soul master world, Su Ye turns Xiaogang's own reasoning back on him. 164 165
• Yu Tianheng — Nephew. Yu Tianheng is said to admire Xiaogang's ability to attract women. 199
• Yu Yuanzhen — Father. Xiaogang's status as Yu Yuanzhen's son contributed to the notoriety surrounding his talent and conduct. 52

Story Role / Major Arcs

Exposure through Su Ye's Diary

Su Ye's diary portrays Xiaogang as a fraud, a coward, and a man who exploited Bibi Dong and abandoned Liu Erlong. These revelations destabilize both women's feelings for him and turn many readers against him. 24 25 26 27

Return to Shrek

Flender brings Xiaogang to address Shrek Academy's crisis after Su Ye's rise. Xiaogang refuses to believe that the young Su Ye is a Soul Saint with two 100,000-year spirit rings and has defeated Tang Hao, since the news conflicts with his theories. 132

Attempt to Claim Su Ye

After arriving in Suotuo City, Xiaogang intends to take Su Ye as a disciple, seeing him as the key to clearing his “trash” reputation. He also plans to use knowledge gained from Su Ye to further Tang San's cultivation. 137

Suotuo City Humiliation

Su Ye strikes Xiaogang during their confrontation. Xiaogang then reveals a Pope's Token after checking on Tang San, but Hu Liena defeats him, takes the token, and subjects him to interrogation over the Invincible Theory. 142 143 144

Xiaogang's externalized Beast Martial Soul is revealed, along with the potential he squandered through poor martial soul and spirit-ring choices. His theories continue to collapse under scrutiny, causing Tang San and the Shrek group to question his expertise. 145 146 148

Upon realizing that he may have permanently lost the Golden Sacred Dragon's second awakening through his own choices, Xiaogang suffers a mental breakdown and considers using Tang San's Mysterious Heaven Skill to save himself. 147

Debt Arrangement and Decline

To settle their debt to Su Ye, Flender arranges for Xiaogang to father a child for a wealthy woman in exchange for money. Xiaogang reluctantly agrees after concluding he has no other option. 153

The following day, he appears drastically weakened but still approaches Su Ye to ask how he absorbed a spirit ring beyond normal limits. 163 Flender later pays off Xiaogang's debt. 167

Blue Tyrant Academy Public Collapse

Flender attempts to use Xiaogang's relationship with Liu Erlong to bring Shrek into Blue Tyrant Academy and secure Tang San a central role in its tournament team. Liu Erlong instead responds to Xiaogang's arrival by publicly beating him and livestreaming the incident. 235 236

When Su Ye's group subsequently visits the academy, Hu Liena initiates another academic exchange by revealing five black soul rings, while Dugu Yan displays six black rings. The displays shatter Xiaogang's assumptions about fixed soul-ring limits and configurations. 239 240

Yin Shu then relays Martial Soul Hall's public announcement concerning the plagiarism and damaging alteration of its theories. Xiaogang spits blood under the blow to his reputation, yet irrationally assumes Bibi Dong's actions are motivated by jealousy and believes he can still placate her. 239

Trivia

• Xiaogang is repeatedly called “Gangzi” in Su Ye's diary and by other characters. 25 140
• He is said to have a protagonist-like starting point: poor initial talent, the favor of a Martial Soul Hall Saintess, and a hidden Golden Sacred Dragon martial soul. 145
• Despite claiming to have cultivated a god, Tang San ultimately leaves Xiaogang on Douluo Continent after ascending to the God Realm; Xiaogang later dies of old age. 82 136
• In the original timeline, Ning Fengzhi praises Xiaogang to Emperor Xue Ye with the statement, “Those who gain the Master gain the world!” Later figures elevate him through Tang San's reputation, including Xue Beng granting him the title of Imperial Preceptor. 213 214