Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Grandmaster; Master Yu
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Nuoding Academy (external staff); Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan (outcast) 73 74
Occupation/Role	Martial Soul theorist; Soul Master instructor; Tang San's teacher 3 9
Status	Active; intends to leave Nuoding Academy with Tang San 80
First Appearance	Chapter 1 1

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang was present at Nuoding Academy when Lin Mo went to the back mountain during a violent thunderstorm. He witnessed Lin Mo's apparent Thunder-Clap Grass mutate amid the lightning, then examined the boy's enrollment file and concluded that the martial soul concealed an extraordinary secret. 1

After Lin Mo reached level ten, Yu summoned him and offered to accept him as a disciple. He argued that his decades of Martial Soul theory could guide Lin Mo past the limitations of low innate soul power, but Lin Mo rejected him outright. Yu Xiaogang reacted with anger, insisting that apprenticeship under him was Lin Mo's best—and only—shortcut. 2 3

Following the refusal, Yu Xiaogang publicly denied that Lin Mo was his disciple and declared Lin Mo unworthy of the position. He later met Tang San, whose Innate Full Soul Power and Blue Silver Grass martial soul overturned his expectations and prompted him to take Tang San as his disciple instead. 4

Yu accompanied Tang San into the Soul Hunting Forest, where he selected a four-hundred-year Datura Snake as a compatible first soul ring for Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. He approved of Tang San's resulting Bind skill and escorted him to register as a Soul Master. 9

At the Nuoding City Martial Soul Hall, Yu Xiaogang publicly praised Tang San while belittling Lin Mo's talent. Lin Mo then revealed the Thunder Hell Vine and a soul ring, suppressing Tang San's martial soul and humiliating Yu Xiaogang before the hall. 11

Three years later, when Lin Mo returned to Nuoding Academy, the Dean demanded that Yu Xiaogang apologize or leave. Yu refused to apologize publicly and chose to depart rather than submit. During the ensuing conflict, Lin Mo defeated Tang San and struck Yu Xiaogang unconscious with the Thunder Hell Vine; Yu responded by vowing retaliation. 74 76

Afterward, Yu Xiaogang provided Tang Hao with information about Lin Mo and pledged to protect Tang San with his life. He later decided to seek a better academy for Tang San's cultivation, intending to leave Nuoding with him. 79 80

Appearance

Yu Xiaogang is a middle-aged man usually dressed in plain or grey robes. He is frequently seen carrying thick books and research materials on Martial Souls. 1 2 10

• Keeps a restrained, scholarly appearance while working at Nuoding Academy. 1 74
• His cultivation has not reached the third soul ring. 74
• His martial soul is Luo Sanpao. 9 75

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is deeply confident in his theoretical expertise and regards his Martial Soul research as authoritative. Lin Mo's refusal particularly enrages him because he sees his own guidance as an exceptional opportunity for a student of humble origins. 3

His pride makes him unwilling to apologize or yield publicly, even when pressured by Nuoding Academy's Dean. He can become openly contemptuous toward those he considers untalented or reckless, especially Lin Mo. 4 11 74

Despite his arrogance, Yu Xiaogang is strongly devoted to Tang San. He personally guides Tang San's early cultivation, reassures him after his defeat, and promises Tang Hao that he will protect Tang San with his life. 9 79 80

Abilities & Skills

Martial Soul Theory

Yu Xiaogang has spent decades researching Martial Souls and presents himself as an expert on soul-ring compatibility, cultivation limits, and Martial Soul development. 2 3

• Identified the Datura Snake's poison and resilience as a suitable match for Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. 9
• Recognized Lin Mo's rapid growth and Thunder-Clap Grass mutation as abnormal. 1 2
• Considered Lin Mo's thousand-year second soul ring an unsustainable violation of established absorption limits. 79 80
• His theories failed to account for Lin Mo's Thunder Hell Vine, its lightning absorption, and Lin Mo's continued advancement. 1 2 79

Luo Sanpao

Yu Xiaogang's martial soul is Luo Sanpao. 9 75

• Used Luo Sanpao to patrol the surroundings while Tang San absorbed his first soul ring. 9
• Yu Xiaogang's own cultivation remains below the three-ring realm. 74
• Luo Sanpao was unable to protect Yu Xiaogang when Lin Mo overpowered him during the Nuoding Academy confrontation. 75 76

Relationships

• Lin Mo — Yu Xiaogang attempted to recruit Lin Mo as his disciple after witnessing his Martial Soul mutation. Lin's refusal turned their interaction into a long-running personal conflict. 2 3 74
• Tang San — His disciple. Yu Xiaogang guides Tang San's early soul-ring acquisition, supports his confidence after defeat, and plans to continue cultivating him elsewhere. 9 80
• Tang Hao — Tang San's father and a powerful figure Yu Xiaogang addresses with great respect. Yu provides him information on Lin Mo and swears to protect Tang San. 79
• Nuoding Academy Dean — The Dean once kept Yu Xiaogang as external staff, but later pressured him to apologize to Lin Mo or leave in order to preserve the academy's relationship with Martial Soul Hall. 73 74
• Xiao Wu — A student connected to Tang San. Yu Xiaogang invites her to accompany himself and Tang San to another academy, but she instead chooses to return home. 80

Notable Quotes

“Taking me as your master is your best choice, and your only shortcut!” 3

“I will certainly protect him with my own life.” 79