Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Grandmaster; Master of Theory; “Wisdom Corner of the Golden Iron Triangle”; “Fart Master” (derogatory)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Notting Academy — guest researcher
Occupation/Role	Martial soul theorist and researcher; soul-ring hunting guide
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 7

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang was cast out by the Blue Lightning Overlord Dragon Clan and later taken in by Notting Academy’s dean, Wang Shoucheng. The academy publicly employs him as a guest researcher in martial soul theory, while many staff and students regard him as a freeloader because he has remained unable to reach level 30. Dean Wang nevertheless values the logic and insight in Yu Xiaogang’s research. 7 11

His cultivation has been permanently stalled at level 29 due to a malignant mutation of his martial soul. He spent more than two decades searching Martial Soul Hall archives, conducting experiments, and developing his Ten Core Competition Theories, but could not resolve his own condition. 15 17

When Notting Academy receives two six-year-old work-study students—Tang San and Huang Fei—with Blue Silver Grass and Innate Full Soul Power, Yu Xiaogang sees them as evidence for his Twin Martial Souls theory. He intends to guide them, verify his theories through their development, and use their eventual accomplishments to overturn the ridicule directed at him. 11 12

Appearance

Yu Xiaogang is a middle-aged man with a stern, gloomy bearing and a deliberately imposing manner. He typically carries a thick notebook containing his research. 7 11

• Black clothing and a crew cut. 7
• Medium build; appears to be in his forties. 7
• Maintains a rigid posture, often standing with his hands behind his back. 13
• Keeps his office and files meticulously organized. 11
• Wears dark martial attire, boots, and a leather pouch when entering the Soul Hunting Forest. 22

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is intensely ambitious and deeply sensitive about his failures. Years of mockery over his stalled cultivation and controversial theories leave him determined to gain recognition through a successful research subject. 12 17

He presents himself as calm, knowledgeable, and authoritative, calling himself the continent’s foremost theoretical researcher. When challenged about the practical limits of his theories and his level 29 cultivation, however, he becomes defensive, angry, and humiliated. 13 15 16

Despite his self-interest, Yu Xiaogang is capable of adapting when faced with stronger arguments. Tang San’s Life Flow interpretation of Blue Silver Grass forces him to reconsider his poison-control approach, and he ultimately supports Tang San’s chosen path rather than openly forcing his own. 20 23 42

Abilities & Skills

Martial Soul Theory Research

Yu Xiaogang has studied martial souls for decades and developed the Ten Core Competition Theories, covering awakening, martial soul competition, soul-ring ratios, and evolution routes. 13 16

• Correctly suspects that Tang San and Huang Fei’s Innate Full Soul Power cannot be explained by ordinary Blue Silver Grass alone. 12 13
• Uses Tang San’s records and performance to advance his research on Twin Martial Souls, despite Tang San never admitting to possessing them. 42
• Provides cultivation analysis and soul-ring recommendations, including age limits for Tang San’s second ring. 42
• His theories are limited by his tendency to treat conclusions as absolute; he initially overlooks Blue Silver Grass’s potential as a life-force-focused martial soul. 14 20

Soul Beast Hunting and Soul-Ring Selection

Yu Xiaogang can identify suitable soul beasts and organize ring-hunting expeditions for plant-type martial souls. 23 42 43

• Selects a 430-year Vine of Life for Tang San’s first soul ring. 23 24
• Plans Tang San’s second ring around life-force attributes, considering the Life Ancient Vine, Healing Flower King, and Life-Giving Grass. 42 43
• Assesses Tang San’s physical capacity as sufficient for an 800–900-year second soul ring, beyond the normal 764-year limit. 42
• Instructs Tang San on the basics of soul-ring absorption and warns him not to force the process beyond his limits. 24

Soul Power and Martial Soul Mutation

Yu Xiaogang is a level 29 Soul Grand Master whose malignant martial soul mutation prevents him from breaking through to level 30. 15

• His cultivation limitation is the central source of his resentment and insecurity. 15 17
• He argues that his lack of practical advancement does not invalidate his theoretical knowledge. 15
• The name and nature of his mutated martial soul are not disclosed in the available material.

Equipment / Items

• Research notebook — Contains his martial soul theories, diagrams, observations, and records of Tang San’s development. 7 17 45
• Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges — A top-tier storage Soul Tool belt with twenty-four independent gemstone storage spaces of approximately one cubic meter each; Yu Xiaogang gives it to Tang San as part of their research agreement. 20
• Martial Soul Hall bronze token — Carried at his waist while at Notting Academy. 26

Relationships

• Tang San — Research subject and informal collaborator. Yu Xiaogang provides theory, resources, and ring-hunting support in exchange for Tang San’s cooperation with martial soul research; Tang San remains respectful but guarded and never formally accepts him as a master. 20 42
• Huang Fei — Initially considered a second ideal research subject, but Yu Xiaogang abandons attempts to win him over after Huang Fei repeatedly exposes flaws in his claims and challenges his level 29 cultivation. 12 16 19
• Wang Shoucheng — Dean of Notting Academy and one of Yu Xiaogang’s few friends. Wang gave him accommodation and a research position despite widespread gossip and criticism. 11
• Notting Academy students — Many mock him as the “Fart Master,” reflecting his poor reputation within the academy. 17 29

Story Role / Major Arcs

Discovery of the Blue Silver Grass Students

Yu Xiaogang first notices Tang San and Huang Fei passing through the academy, then learns they both possess Innate Full Soul Power and Blue Silver Grass. He immediately identifies them as potential proof for his Twin Martial Souls theory. 7 11 12

Attempt to Recruit Tang San and Huang Fei

He brings the two boys to a secluded clearing, claims they must possess hidden Twin Martial Souls, and offers to take them as disciples. Huang Fei and Tang San deny the claim, while Huang Fei publicly questions Yu Xiaogang’s practical credibility. 13 14 15

Humiliation and Shift in Strategy

After Huang Fei uses Yu Xiaogang’s principle—“there are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters”—against him, Yu Xiaogang leaves humiliated. He decides Huang Fei is not worth pursuing and focuses instead on gaining Tang San’s trust in private. 16 17 19

Research Agreement with Tang San

Yu Xiaogang proposes a compromise: Tang San will cooperate as a research subject without becoming a formal disciple. In return, Yu Xiaogang promises a life-attribute first soul ring and gives him the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges. 20

Soul-Ring Guidance

Yu Xiaogang leads Tang San and Huang Fei into the Soul Hunting Forest for Tang San’s first ring, then later arranges the hunt for Tang San’s second. Although initially committed to a poison-control route, he supports Tang San’s Life Flow path after recognizing its logic. 23 24 42 43

Notable Quotes

“I have studied martial soul theory for many years... In the field of martial soul theoretical research, I am the best on the continent.” 13

“My Soul Power Level and the malignant mutation of my martial soul cannot represent my personal wisdom!” 15

“I don't need you to take me as your master... I only need you to be my research subject and cooperate with me on theoretical research.” 20