Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Grandmaster; Master Yu; Gangzi; Teacher of Gods
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan (former; expelled); Shrek Academy; Spirit Hall (honorary elder); Star Luo anti–Spirit Hall alliance
Occupation/Role	Martial soul theorist; instructor and mentor; military adviser
Status	Deceased; body and soul were completely devoured by Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun 372
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Level 29 — Soul Grandmaster	1, 37	Remained unable to cross the level-30 bottleneck because of Luo Sanpao's defect; initially possessed two century-level soul rings.
Level 21 — Soul Grandmaster	145	A failed attempt to use Blood Ginseng to break through caused backlash, degeneration of Luo Sanpao, and a drop from level 29 to 21.
Level 30 — Soul Elder	370	Finally broke through to level 30, though his soul power stopped at level 31.

Background

Yu Xiaogang was a direct-line member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the son of clan leader Yu Yuanzhen. His mutated martial soul, Luo Sanpao, granted him only 0.5 innate soul power; despite clan resources, he spent decades reaching level 29 and could not initially become a Soul Elder. 261

Unable to gain recognition through cultivation, he pursued fame as a theorist. He published the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul and sought an exceptional disciple whose future achievements could validate his name. Tang San's innate full soul power and suspected twin martial souls made him Xiaogang's ideal candidate. 1

His theoretical reputation later suffered major setbacks: Tang San's absorption of a thousand-year second soul ring contradicted Xiaogang's stated 864-year limit, while his writings were publicly exposed as copied from Spirit Hall's confidential records. 44 251

Appearance

Yu Xiaogang is a middle-aged man known for his rigid flat-top haircut and deliberately dignified posture. He frequently stands with his hands behind his back, chin lifted and nostrils tilted upward while presenting himself as an aloof master. 2 36

• Usually wears scholar-like robes; later wore crimson ceremonial robes as a Spirit Hall honorary elder. 232 238
• His health deteriorated severely after consuming Blood Ginseng, leaving him sallow, unsteady, and physically weakened. 178 215
• His martial soul initially resembled a strange pig-dog creature, but later degenerated into a blue-spotted pig. 1 144

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is intensely ambitious and dependent on recognition. He calls himself the continent's foremost theoretical master, regards criticism as a personal insult, and treats gifted disciples as proof that his theories deserve immortality. 1 55

He projects authority toward weaker people but becomes deferential when confronted by superior strength. After challenging Li Yusong at Shrek's gate, he immediately begged forgiveness upon recognizing the latter as a Soul Emperor; he likewise avoided confronting Jiang Li after learning the gap between them. 31 37

His concern for reputation repeatedly shapes his choices. He rejected a formal return to Spirit Hall until he could do so “with dignity,” concealed the consequences of Blood Ginseng, and rationalized disasters caused by his teachings rather than accepting responsibility. 185 215 302

Yu Xiaogang is also calculating in personal relationships. He retained Liu Erlong's loyalty by framing his dealings with Bibi Dong as sacrifices for their future, while privately viewing Liu Erlong's potential as a resource worth preserving. 104 189

Abilities & Skills

Luo Sanpao

Yu Xiaogang's mutated external beast martial soul is Luo Sanpao. It originally appeared as a pig-dog-like creature and was accompanied by two yellow soul rings. Damage inflicted on Luo Sanpao is reflected onto Yu Xiaogang. 1 2

• First Soul Skill: Fart Like Thunder, Earth-Shattering Luo Sanpao — Releases thick, foul-smelling gas. 2
• Second Soul Skill: Hypnotic Slumber Luo Sanpao — An attempted hypnotic ability. 2
• Limit: Luo Sanpao's injury feedback leaves Yu Xiaogang vulnerable whenever the martial soul is struck. 2 145
• Degeneration: Blood Ginseng consumed the remaining trace of Golden Sacred Dragon origin within Luo Sanpao, reducing it to a blue-spotted pig-like martial soul. 143 144

Martial Soul Theory

Yu Xiaogang authored the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul, presenting it as foundational guidance on martial souls and soul-ring absorption. 1

• His second-ring absorption limit of 864 years was challenged when Tang San successfully absorbed a thousand-year second ring. 44
• He created harsh physical-conditioning plans for Dai Mubai, forbidding soul-power use and framing the regimen as foundation-building. 54 55
• He insisted on personally determining disciples' soul-ring paths and rejected students who questioned his methods. 38 48
• His theories were later publicly exposed as derived from Spirit Hall records rather than wholly original research. 251

Seven-in-One Fusion Technique

Yu Xiaogang devised a formation intended to channel the combined soul power of seven people into one core member, allowing that person to forcibly activate a Martial Soul Avatar beyond their normal rank. 238

• Dai Mubai successfully manifested a Green Tiger Avatar during the technique's initial test. 239
• Bibi Dong identified the method's danger: it could damage meridians, spiritual power, and soul origin. 238
• Yu Tianheng later suffered irreversible soul-origin damage after forcibly activating his Martial Soul Avatar. 255

Relationships

• Jiang Li — Rival and recurring source of humiliation. Jiang Li defeated him at Nuoding Academy, took Tang San as a disciple, and repeatedly challenged Xiaogang's theories in public. 2 3 161
• Tang San — Xiaogang's desired but never acquired disciple. Tang San rejected him in favor of Jiang Li and later openly mocked his stagnation and demands for secret methods. 3 134
• Flender — Longtime friend and fellow member of the Golden Iron Triangle. Flender sheltered Xiaogang at Shrek Academy and routinely supported his teaching plans despite reservations. 38 54 55
• Liu Erlong — Former lover and cousin whose affection for Xiaogang endured for decades. She supported his ambitions until Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun killed her during their Rakshasa God Trial. 103 189 342
• Bibi Dong — Former lover and powerful patron. As Spirit Hall's Pope, she made him an honorary elder, supported his revenge against the Tang Sect, and attempted to protect him until his final destruction. 185 232 372
• Dai Mubai — His principal disciple and hoped-for route to becoming Star Luo's imperial tutor. Dai eventually turned against Xiaogang and used him as a hostage before refining him to death. 48 339 372
• Yu Tianheng — His nephew and another disciple. Yu Xiaogang selected him as the core for the Seven-in-One Fusion Technique, contributing to the irreversible collapse of Tianheng's soul origin. 239 255
• Yu Yuanzhen — His father and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan leader. Yu Yuanzhen ultimately stripped Xiaogang of the Yu surname and expelled him from the clan. 261

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Nuoding Academy — Xiaogang attempted to recruit Tang San after deducing that the child's innate full soul power came from a second martial soul. Jiang Li defeated him, and Tang San became Jiang Li's disciple instead. Xiaogang also repeatedly attempted to recruit Xiao Wu before leaving for Shrek. 1 3 30 31
• Shrek Academy instructor — After reuniting with Flender, he demanded control over student training and soul-ring planning. He recruited Dai Mubai and sought to use Shrek's talented students to prove his theories. 38 48 49
• Blood Ginseng disaster — Xiaogang distributed Blood Ginseng to several disciples and consumed the best piece himself, hoping to reach level 30 and evolve Luo Sanpao. The herb overdrew his potential, reduced his soul power, and caused Luo Sanpao's degeneration. 137 142 145 215
• Tournament rivalry — He attempted to disqualify Imperial Dou Second Team, demanded that Tang San's faction reveal its methods for exceeding soul-ring limits, and ordered Dai Mubai to cripple opposing students after public humiliation. 134 161 162
• Spirit City alliance — Seeking recovery and the Tang Sect's martial-soul-evolution methods, he returned to Spirit City and renewed his alliance with Bibi Dong. He accepted the position of honorary elder while plotting to destroy Tang San and the Tang Sect's reputation. 173 185 186
• Fall from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan — After Yu Tianheng's soul-origin collapse and Xiaogang's public disgrace, Yu Yuanzhen expelled him from the clan and removed his surname. 251 261
• Teacher of Gods — Following a Rakshasa God Trial involving Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun, Xiaogang fled Spirit City for Star Luo. Their later rise to Soul Saints convinced him that he would become the teacher of three gods. 302 339
• Death — Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun turned on him after their divine trials. When Bibi Dong prioritized completing her Rakshasa inheritance over negotiating for his life, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun refined Yu Xiaogang into blood and ash, leaving no body or soul for resurrection. 341 372

Notable Quotes

“The Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul are the salvational truths I, Yu Xiaogang, the number one theoretical master on this continent, have researched with all my heart and soul after a lifetime of exploration!” 1

“I, Yu Xiaogang, am about to cultivate three gods! I have not disgraced my family!” 339