Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Grandmaster; Theory Teacher 1 71
Gender	Male 119
Affiliation	Shrek Academy; formerly the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, from which he was expelled 76 91
Occupation/Role	Martial soul theorist; Tang San's teacher; Shrek Academy coach 71 125 178
Origin	Surface World's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan 91 139 196
Martial Soul	Luo Sanpao, a defective mutated martial soul 153 170
Innate Soul Power	Half a level 127
Family	Yu Yuanzhen, father; Yu Tianheng, nephew 84 91 93
Status	Alive; last documented collapsing after Tang San gave the Golden Sacred Dragon Bloodline to Xiao Wu 310
First Appearance	Chapter 69 69

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Innate Soul Power: half a level	127	His extremely low innate power and malignant martial soul mutation underpin his lifelong cultivation limitations and desire to prove himself through theory. 127
Rank 29 Soul Master	140	Had been trapped at this bottleneck for over half his life; Tang San's rapid gains through draining Titan make him suspect a forbidden cultivation method. 140
Rank 30 Soul Elder	153	Tang San transfers life force, blood essence, and Soul Power drained from Titan into Yu Xiaogang and Luo Sanpao, shattering his long-standing bottleneck. 153
Third soul ring / Soul-Bewitching Backflow Luo Sanpao	159	Obtains a third ring from a 1,200-year Rotting Marsh Blood Leech; Luo Sanpao gains a poisonous gas technique with a concealed devouring effect. 159
Regressed to Rank 29	244	While facing the Myriad Tides Ravine test, he reflects on the despair of having fallen back to Rank 29. 244
Failed to obtain the Golden Sacred Dragon Bloodline	310	Tang San obtains the bloodline during the Myriad Tides Ravine trial but secretly gives it to Xiao Wu, denying Yu Xiaogang the martial soul evolution he believed could change his life. 308 309 310

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang spent much of his life constrained by the defective mutation of his martial soul, Luo Sanpao, and a Rank 29 bottleneck. His martial soul research, including his so-called core-competitiveness theories, was driven primarily by a need to prove that he was not useless or inferior to the powerful figures who had looked down on him. 127 140

He was born into the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan as Yu Yuanzhen's son. His malignant martial soul mutation made him a source of disgrace to the clan, and Yu Yuanzhen personally expelled him many years before the main events. Nevertheless, Yu Yuanzhen later regarded the crippling and castration of his son as an insult to both his family and the clan's reputation. 91 93 139

He became Tang San's teacher and designed what he considered the ideal evolution route for Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. When Tang San absorbed a 6,700-year fourth soul ring with an evil attribute, Yu Xiaogang initially condemned the decision as a violation of his theory; Tang San's praise quickly redirected him into treating the event as proof that his own research had raised the fourth-ring limit. 125 126

Following Tang San's attempted covert attack at the Soto Great Soul Arena, Fu Lanya selected Yu Xiaogang for punishment. He was left severely maimed, including castration, and later relied on a wheelchair while recovering. During a subsequent confrontation at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Zhao Youji shattered his right leg, compounding his injuries. 70 72 83 84 88 93 119

His pursuit of strength eventually made him Tang San's accomplice in devouring other Soul Masters' cultivation. Although he initially depended on Tang San to refine and transfer Titan's power, he later secured Flender's agreement to help capture wanted criminals as cultivation resources. 152 153 170 180

After the Shrek group's defeat in Spirit City, Yu Xiaogang and the others found themselves in the God Realm and were sent to the Inner World by the gods. His theoretical knowledge did not enable him to explain their restoration or transportation, although books he had accessed through Bibi Dong had previously informed him of the God Realm's existence. 196

After reaching the Inner World's Sea God City, Yu Xiaogang increasingly fixated on divine inheritances, martial soul evolution, and the Golden Sacred Dragon Bloodline. He regarded the bloodline Tang San acquired in the Myriad Tides Sea Eye as his long-awaited chance to transform Luo Sanpao and escape his reputation as “trash,” only for Tang San to transfer it to Xiao Wu instead. 222 255 308 309 310

Appearance

After the Soto incident, Yu Xiaogang is depicted as gaunt and pale, with deeply sunken eyes and a body weakened by his injuries. He commonly sits under a thick blanket in a wheelchair, though he has recovered the ability to stand and walk by the time he confronts Tang San over Titan's devouring, before his Rank 30 breakthrough. He initially conceals this mobility to lower others' guard. 119 151 153 180

• Sharp intelligence remains visible in his sunken eyes despite his frail condition. 119
• His expression is frequently stiff, controlled, or grim. 71 170
• Luo Sanpao becomes larger after his breakthrough and develops a dark-red, baleful bloodline along its back. 159
• By his reunion with Bibi Dong, twenty years of hardship have left deep lines on his face, making him appear aged and dejected. 183
• Before leaving to obtain his third soul ring, he changes into a new robe and briefly displays renewed confidence rather than his earlier despondency. 158

Personality

Yu Xiaogang presents himself as a principled, strict, and protective teacher. He invokes responsibility for Tang San's safety, speaks in the language of justice and proper cultivation, and publicly treats dangerous power as something that must be studied cautiously. 125 152 153

Behind this posture, he is intensely insecure, proud, and opportunistic. His desire for recognition leads him to view Tang San's exceptional talent as evidence for his theories and as a means to secure his own glory. He sees relationships—including those with Tang San, Liu Erlong, and Bibi Dong—as sources of status, power, or cultivation opportunities. 127 140 184

His affection for Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong is not entirely fabricated, but the narrative explicitly places exploitation of their standing and exceptional talent beneath that affection. Similarly, his apparent tolerance of Tang San's secrets conceals a plan to claim any cultivation method that might overcome his own limitations once Tang San has perfected it. 127

His crippling and decades of stagnation deepen his obsession with strength. Once he discovers Tang San's devouring method, he knowingly embraces a path associated with fallen Soul Masters rather than reject it. 140 180 184

He is willing to expose others to danger for his own advancement. During the Soul Master Tournament, his wish to uncover Tang San's secret takes priority over timely intervention and tactical guidance; preserving Shrek's participation matters to him chiefly because stronger opponents might force Tang San to reveal hidden abilities. He also considers Flender and Liu Erlong as potential sources of power for his devouring skill. 144 147 149 159

His response to the Golden Sacred Dragon Bloodline exposes the extent of this obsession. He assumes that Tang San's achievement and the bloodline's benefits belong to him by virtue of their teacher-disciple relationship, becomes panicked when Tang San does not return, and reacts with rage when Xiao Wu receives the bloodline instead. 308 309 310

Abilities & Skills

Luo Sanpao

Yu Xiaogang's mutated martial soul is Luo Sanpao. Its defects were central to his inability to advance beyond Rank 29 through normal cultivation. 153 170

• Luo Sanpao receives transferred energy alongside Yu Xiaogang during his Rank 30 breakthrough. 153
• By Chapter 159, Yu Xiaogang possesses three soul rings: two yellow and one purple. 159
• Its unconventional combat style makes it difficult for Yu Xiaogang to be taken seriously as a fighter. 230
• He attempts to attack Ao Shushun with Heaven-Shattering Earth-Splitting Luo Sanpao, but is outmaneuvered before the attack can resolve the confrontation. 230

Soul-Bewitching Backflow Luo Sanpao

His third soul skill is derived from a Rotting Marsh Blood Leech, a soul beast chosen for its devouring attribute rather than draconic bloodline. 159

• Releases a dark-purple cloud of poisonous gas. 159
• The gas drains life force from nearby plants. 159
• Luo Sanpao can inhale the released gas again, forming a powerful reverse airflow. 159
• Yu Xiaogang conceals the skill's devouring nature to avoid being branded a fallen Soul Master. 159
• In his public explanation, he describes it as an area-control and sustained-combat technique that numbs enemies, disrupts their balance, and recovers more than half the expended Soul Power. This explanation omits the devouring effect. 159
• Despite obtaining the skill, his independent cultivation remains extremely slow without Tang San supplying refined high-grade Soul Power. 170

Golden Iron Triangle Martial Soul Fusion

Yu Xiaogang participates in the Golden Iron Triangle's Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Flender and Liu Erlong. After his Rank 30 breakthrough, Liu Erlong expects the acquisition of his third soul ring to increase the fusion skill's power, and Flender agrees with her assessment. 158

Martial Soul Theory

Yu Xiaogang is an experienced researcher and theorist whose knowledge lets him analyze martial souls, soul-ring limits, and cultivation routes. 125 201

• He formulated a planned poison-and-resilience evolution path for Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. 125
• He intended to publish Tang San's third- and fourth-ring achievements as proof of an improved theory. 126
• He had researched the backgrounds and martial souls of Claes Team members, allowing him to identify Zhu Muhei immediately. 119
• His conclusions are vulnerable to bias: Tang San successfully deceives him into treating fabricated circumstances as support for his new theory. 126 127
• His clan background gives him extensive knowledge of major sects and their subordinate forces, including the Strength Clan's former relationship with the Clear Sky Sect. 139 140
• He correctly warns that Tang San's ordinary Clear Sky Hammer cannot automatically earn recognition from Haotian Hall, whose inherited hammer martial soul is of a higher rank. 200
• His knowledge of divine matters is limited: he knows of Spirit Hall's Angel God and the God Realm, but is surprised by information about the Sea God and Asura God. 196 221

Devouring and Forced Power Transfer

Yu Xiaogang adopts Tang San's forbidden devouring path after realizing it can circumvent his innate limitations. 140 152

• Tang San uses Blue Silver Grass as a conduit to transfer power drained from Titan into Yu Xiaogang and Luo Sanpao. 153
• Yu Xiaogang frames the experiment as a test for Tang San's safety, but seeks the breakthrough for himself. 152 153
• He cuts his own arm and thigh to provide entry points for Tang San's vines, enduring the violent transferred power as it forces open his bottleneck. 153
• After succeeding, he insists that he must be present whenever Tang San uses the ability, ostensibly to monitor changes in the disciple's meridians and cultivation foundation. 153
• He later admits that he needs evil attributes and the cultivation of other Soul Masters to continue advancing. 184
• The method risks labeling him a fallen Soul Master and inviting execution by Spirit Hall or other Soul Masters. 180 184
• He asks Bibi Dong to supply Soul Power, regarding her spider-emperor martial souls as sources of exceptionally high-grade evil attributes; she rejects the demand. 184

Pursuit of Martial Soul Evolution

Yu Xiaogang actively seeks opportunities capable of repairing or evolving Luo Sanpao, including mutated bloodlines, divine inheritances, and rare dragon bloodlines. 173 207 222

• Yu Rongrong's martial soul evolution intensifies his desire to find a method of evolving Luo Sanpao. 173
• He considers whether Ning Dagang's similar yet more developed martial soul may indicate a bloodline-based path to improving his own mutation. 207
• Hearing that Tang Jun's Golden Marrow Body Forging can strengthen a martial soul provokes envy because he lacks access to such an ability himself. 211
• He hopes a divine inheritance might resolve the limitations of his mutated martial soul. 222
• He identifies the Golden Sacred Dragon Bloodline as an opportunity that could fundamentally transform his martial soul, but never obtains it. 255 308 310

Interrogation and Strategic Manipulation

Yu Xiaogang is capable of exploiting information and people for long-term advantage. 119 204 205

• He recognizes Zhu Muhei as a potentially useful asset for gaining Star Luo connections and learning Kelaishi Academy's methods. 119
• He deliberately allows Tang San's false story about Zhu Muhei's escape to stand while privately planning to uncover Tang San's secret. 127
• He conceals his recovered mobility while observing Tang San, then follows him to a secluded hut and exposes his devouring of Titan. 151
• He helps deceive Salas and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family about Titan's death, diverting suspicion toward supposed fallen Soul Masters elsewhere in the city. 163
• He persuades Flender to assist his cultivation by capturing wanted criminals while agreeing to keep the arrangement secret from Liu Erlong. 180
• He helps interrogate Ning Dagang for intelligence on Haotian Hall, the Six-Edged Clear Sky Hammer, and its internal power struggle. 204 205

Combat Limitations

Yu Xiaogang's practical combat ability remains poor despite his theoretical confidence. 230

• Ao Shushun easily outmaneuvers him with a flying sausage soul skill. 230
• Yu Xiaogang loses track of his opponent and is struck from behind before he can respond. 230
• His brief advancement and third soul skill do not eliminate his dependence on externally refined power for meaningful cultivation progress. 170

Relationships

• Tang San — His disciple and the centerpiece of his theories; Yu Xiaogang publicly mentors and protects him while privately intending to exploit his cultivation secret. Their involvement in devouring Titan turns them into accomplices. Resentment grows when Tang San initially refuses Qian San's demands despite the punishment of his companions, and their relationship deteriorates further after Tang San gives the Golden Sacred Dragon Bloodline to Xiao Wu rather than surrendering it to Yu Xiaogang. 125 127 152 153 231 308 309 310
• Liu Erlong — Devoted companion who follows his wishes and vows revenge for his crippling; Yu Xiaogang exploits her affection and admiration. He conceals his arrangement with Flender to obtain victims for devouring from her, despite considering her as a possible source of cultivation power. 89 119 127 159 180
• Flender — Longtime associate and Shrek Academy ally. Flender tries to shield Yu Xiaogang from punishment and later condemns his devouring path, but ultimately agrees to help him capture wanted criminals under a secrecy agreement. He refuses to help Yu Xiaogang seize the Golden Sacred Dragon Bloodline but remains the only member of the group to carry him away after his collapse. 71 180 255 309 310
• Bibi Dong — A figure from Yu Xiaogang's past whom he approaches for help with Tang San's Twin Martial Souls; she reacts with anger to his demands for power. Despite attacking and expelling him after his request to use her Soul Power, she provides a scroll on Twin Martial Soul cultivation and a dark-purple spider token. 183 184
• Yu Yuanzhen — His father and the leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Yu Yuanzhen expelled him because of his defective martial soul but later sought retaliation for his crippling and castration. Yu Yuanzhen is subsequently killed during the destruction of the clan in the Surface World; Yu Xiaogang's reaction to this event is not documented here. 91 93 288
• Yu Tianheng — His nephew, who regards the public shattering of his uncle's leg as an affront he cannot ignore and steps forward to challenge the opposing team. 84
• Titan — Source of the life force and Soul Power used in Yu Xiaogang's breakthrough; Titan is drained through Tang San's transfer method. Yu Xiaogang later participates in concealing the circumstances of Titan's death. 153 156 163
• Tyrone — Titan's grandson, who secretly witnesses Tang San and Yu Xiaogang draining his grandfather. He restrains himself from intervening because of the difference in their strength and privately vows revenge. 163
• Ning Dagang — His parallel-world counterpart, whose resemblance and superior variant of Luo Sanpao provoke Yu Xiaogang's envy and curiosity. Yu Xiaogang helps interrogate and capture him, then considers whether his bloodline might offer a path to his own martial soul evolution. 201 203 204 205 207
• Zhu Muhei — A captured Claes Team member whom Yu Xiaogang initially views as a “useful chess piece” for Shrek Academy. 119
• Xiao Wu — Tang San's companion and the recipient of the Golden Sacred Dragon Bloodline Yu Xiaogang had expected to receive. Her evolution into a Golden Dragon Rabbit becomes the immediate cause of his emotional collapse. 309 310
• Ning Rongrong and Oscar — Shrek students whose indifference after his collapse demonstrates the erosion of his standing and their former attachment to him. 310

Story Role / Major Arcs

Soto Great Soul Arena Incident

When Tang San's covert attack leads to Shrek Academy's confrontation with Fu Lanya and Zhao Youji, Yu Xiaogang attempts to justify his disciple's actions. Fu Lanya instead makes him the target of punishment, leaving him gravely injured and humiliating Shrek Academy. 70 71 72

His injuries force Shrek to suspend its Great Soul Arena participation. Qin Ming later visits the academy, learns of the confrontation, and becomes angered by the treatment of his former teachers and fellow students. 76

Heaven Dou Royal Academy and Blue Tyrant Academy

Following Shrek's departure from Soto, Yu Xiaogang hopes to use Heaven Dou Royal Academy's resources to establish his own position and cultivate Tang San into the continent's greatest genius. These ambitions are interrupted by Qin Ming's confrontation with the opposing team, during which Zhao Youji shatters Yu Xiaogang's right leg. Flender and Li Yusong carry him away to seek healing. 77 83 84

After an expensive search for a high-level healing Soul Master, Flender brings him to Blue Tyrant Academy. Liu Erlong is devastated upon learning of his castration and attempts to attack Heaven Dou Royal Academy, but Flender and Zhao Wuji restrain her. Yu Xiaogang later uses a fabricated story about a senior and medicinal herbs to calm her and preserve his dignity. 88 89

Zhu Muhei and Tang San's Secret

Yu Xiaogang prevents Liu Erlong from killing Zhu Muhei, interrogates the captive himself, and identifies the political value of controlling him. After Zhu Muhei disappears, he sees through Tang San's fabricated rescue story but chooses not to expose his disciple, expecting Tang San's hidden method to mature into something he can claim. 119 126 127

Breaking the Rank 29 Bottleneck

Observing Titan emerge depleted while Tang San rapidly rises in rank convinces Yu Xiaogang that Tang San possesses a forbidden technique. He pressures Tang San into testing the method on him, then reaches Rank 30 by accepting power extracted from Titan. 140 152 153

Before confronting his disciple, he secretly follows Tang San to a secluded hut and finds Titan bound and bleeding as Blue Silver Grass extracts his life force and Soul Power. Tang San agrees to involve him partly to secure his silence, transforming their teacher-disciple relationship into an arrangement of mutual complicity. 151 152

Soul Master Tournament Manipulation

Yu Xiaogang's interest in Tang San's sudden cultivation gains displaces his attention to coaching. During Shrek's opening match against the Heaven Dou Royal Second Team, he provides no tactical guidance and concentrates instead on the secret behind Tang San's new level. 144

When Tang San violates tournament rules by using hidden weapons, Yu Xiaogang counters by accusing the opposing team of attempted murder. He later preserves Shrek's qualification chiefly so that continued encounters with strong opponents can force Tang San's hidden abilities into the open. A subsequent attempt to disqualify the Heaven Dou Second Team is met with silence and disapproval. 147 149 178

Embracing Devouring

Yu Xiaogang gains his third soul ring and begins concealing its devouring properties. He grows frustrated when Titan's death deprives him of Tang San's supply of refined Soul Power, and eventually discloses the devouring practice to Flender. 159 170 180

He and Tang San also conceal their involvement in Titan's death from Salas and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. Unknown to them, Tyrone has witnessed their actions and begins seeking revenge. 163

Flender initially warns that devouring cultivation will ruin Yu Xiaogang, Tang San, and Shrek Academy if exposed. Nevertheless, he eventually agrees to help capture wanted criminals for Yu Xiaogang to feed on, provided the arrangement remains secret between them. Yu Xiaogang privately celebrates having secured a future source of cultivation resources and informs Tang San of the compromise. 180

Appeal to Bibi Dong

As a Rank 30 Soul Elder, Yu Xiaogang visits Pope Palace to seek assistance for Tang San's Twin Martial Souls. He subsequently reveals his own need to devour evil attributes and other Soul Masters' cultivation, prompting Bibi Dong to denounce him as a fallen Soul Master. 183 184

His request escalates into an appeal for Bibi Dong herself to provide Soul Power, since Tang San cannot spare enough for his further advancement. Enraged by his expectation that she should become cultivation nourishment, Bibi Dong attacks and expels him, although she still gives him Twin Martial Soul cultivation instructions and a spider token. 184

Haotian Hall Investigation

After entering the parallel world, Yu Xiaogang identifies Ning Dagang as his counterpart and argues that finding him is the key to understanding Haotian Hall. He assists Tang San in extracting intelligence about the Six-Edged Clear Sky Hammer, Tang Hao's former position, and Haotian Hall's internal factional conflict. 200 201 204 205

The interrogation reveals that Tang Chen can command all six edges and that Bibi Yin's position is constrained by competing factions. Yu Xiaogang recognizes this division as a possible opening through which Tang San might use the Tang Clan Inner Sect's influence. The group takes Ning Dagang captive for further questioning. 204 205

While Tang San gains an opportunity to evolve his hammer, Yu Xiaogang privately turns his attention to Ning Dagang's bloodline and the possibility of improving Luo Sanpao. Later revelations about martial soul strengthening and divine inheritances deepen his frustration and hopes for an equivalent opportunity of his own. 207 211 221 222

Blood Abyss Confrontation

During Shrek's confrontation with Qian San's group aboard the Blood Abyss, Yu Xiaogang attempts to attack Ao Shushun but is easily outmaneuvered and struck from behind. 230

Qian San subsequently demands that Tang San absorb three ten-year soul rings to spare the group's lives. As Tang San initially refuses and his companions are punished in turn, Yu Xiaogang feels betrayed and resentful. Tang San only relents when Xiao Wu is threatened, further exposing the priority he assigns to her over the others. 231

Myriad Tides Ravine Trial

Yu Xiaogang approaches the Tide-Call Platform convinced that his theoretical knowledge and mental strength will secure a favorable result. He is unable even to step onto the water's surface, suffering another public humiliation. 244

As the trial continues, he learns that a Golden Sacred Dragon Bloodline has appeared within the Myriad Tides Sea Eye and desperately asks Tang San, Flender, and Zhao Wuji to help him obtain it. 255

Tang San continues his descent despite the pleas, while Flender and Zhao Wuji decide against helping Yu Xiaogang retrieve the bloodline. Their refusal intensifies his resentment and reflects the group's prioritization of its broader interests over his personal cultivation hopes. 255

Golden Sacred Dragon Bloodline Loss

Tang San obtains the Golden Sacred Dragon Bloodline during the Myriad Tides Sea Eye trial. Although Tang San recognizes that Yu Xiaogang has long sought such a bloodline, he chooses to conceal it and transfer it to Xiao Wu, believing her improved strength better serves Shrek's interests. 308 309

Yu Xiaogang initially expects Tang San to bring the bloodline ashore for him. After witnessing Xiao Wu's Golden Dragon Rabbit evolution, he denounces Tang San as an unfilial traitor and collapses from rage and despair. The other Shrek members show little concern, while Flender quietly takes him away. 309 310

Before the collapse, Flender urges him to accept that Tang San's reward is not his property. Yu Xiaogang instead accuses Flender of obstructing him. Tang San later openly defends his choice on the grounds that Xiao Wu's improved strength will help the group survive Sea God City, complete its God Trials, and oppose Qian San. 309 310

Notable Quotes

“What do I have left that I can't gamble?” 180

“As long as I can obtain this secret... I, Yu Xiaogang, will no longer be trash!” 140

“So what if it is forbidden? As long as it can increase strength, as long as it can break through the shackles, it is the finest practical application of theory!” 140

Trivia

• Ning Dagang, Yu Xiaogang's counterpart in the parallel world, resembles him by “eighty or ninety percent.” 203
• Yu Xiaogang initially believes his theoretical mastery should give him an advantage in the Myriad Tides Ravine trial, but fails before entering the pool. 244
• Tang San briefly considers Yu Xiaogang when he acquires the Golden Sacred Dragon Bloodline, but decides Xiao Wu should receive it instead. 308
• Tang San falsely invokes Yu Xiaogang's authority to persuade Flender to hunt an evil-attribute soul beast, even though Yu Xiaogang later condemns that choice as contrary to his planned evolution route. 117 125
• Yu Xiaogang's reputation for possessing a useless martial soul helps him avoid suspicion during the investigation into Titan's death, because Salas does not readily associate him with such a dangerous devouring method. 163

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