Niu Gao

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Niu Gao (牛皋)
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Defense Clan; Nine Nether Hall
Occupation/Role	Patriarch of the Defense Clan; architect and builder for Nine Nether Hall
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 51
Martial Soul	Plate Armor Giant Rhinoceros
Cultivation	Level 82 Soul Douluo

Background / History

Niu Gao leads the Defense Clan in the Xingluo Empire. Although his clan fares somewhat better than the Breaking Clan because its construction craftsmen can find work, Martial Soul Hall's suppression steadily worsens its circumstances: younger members lack cultivation resources, and elders' health declines. Niu Gao bears the responsibility of keeping the clan together. 51 52

The Clear Sky Sect's abandonment of the four affiliated clans left him deeply resentful and distrustful of outside powers. He initially views joining Nine Nether Hall as merely becoming another power's subordinate, fearing a second abandonment. 51 52

Yang Wudi approaches him on Dugu Bo's orders, offering equal access to cultivation techniques, resources, and protection, along with three Singular Velvet Pills. After weighing the pills' quality and his clan's worsening position, Niu Gao travels alone to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes to meet Dugu Bo. 51 52

Appearance

Niu Gao is a burly, rugged old man with a physique shaped by physical labor and combat. His dark skin reflects years spent exposed to wind and sun. 51

• Tiger-backed and bear-waisted build.
• Thick arms described as iron pillars.
• Callused palms.
• Vigorous eyes and rugged features. 51
• When using his Martial Soul, his body enlarges; a thick, rhinoceros-like horny layer covers his skin, and a metallic horn grows from his forehead. 54

Personality

Niu Gao is stubborn, proud, and direct. He refuses to accept promises without proof, particularly after the Clear Sky Sect's betrayal, but his skepticism is rooted in responsibility toward the Defense Clan rather than simple defiance. 51 53

His pride is inseparable from his role as clan patriarch. During his challenge against Dugu Bo, he endures the erosion of Nine Nether Power and repeatedly forces himself upright rather than kneel. Even after his first defeat, he asks Dugu Bo to attack again because he refuses to concede without testing the limits of his defense. 54 55

He is pragmatic despite his distrust. The exceptional quality of the Singular Velvet Pill, the promise of resources, and the clan's needs compel him to personally investigate Nine Nether Hall's offer. 52

Abilities & Skills

Plate Armor Giant Rhinoceros

Niu Gao possesses the Defense Clan's inherited defensive beast Martial Soul, regarded as one of the continent's strongest defensive Martial Souls. 54

• Eight soul rings: two yellow, two purple, and four black. 54
• Its hardened outer layer gives him exceptional physical durability.
• His defense is considered unmatched among Soul Masters of the same rank. 53 54
• Its defensive nature causes his cultivation speed to be slower than that of attack-type Soul Masters. 58

Plate Armor Protection

Niu Gao's eighth soul skill and strongest defensive technique. 54

• Condenses earthy-yellow Soul Power into a thick defensive shield.
• He used it immediately against Dugu Bo's Nine Nether Power.
• The shield remains intact against conventional impact, but Nine Nether Power bypasses it through erosion and infiltration. 54

Construction and Architecture

The Defense Clan provides the professional building expertise needed to turn the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes valley into Nine Nether Hall's formal headquarters. 51

• Niu Gao brings construction materials and begins building Nine Nether Hall's base after joining. 64
• Oversees construction of the Defense Clan residence, which is more than halfway complete by Chapter 73. 73
• Under the Defense Clan, the main hall is completed and work begins on side halls. 76

Equipment / Items

• Singular Velvet Pills — Three pills offered by Dugu Bo through Yang Wudi; each strengthens the body, clears meridians, and is said to equal three years of cultivation. 51 52
• Narcissus Pill — A greeting gift from Dugu Bo intended to nourish tendons and strengthen bones, particularly aiding Niu Gao's old right-arm injury. 53
• Phoenix Pill — A greeting gift that purifies bodily impurities and improves Soul Power quality. 53

Relationships

• Dugu Bo — Hall Master who recruits Niu Gao and the Defense Clan into Nine Nether Hall. Niu Gao accepts Dugu Bo's leadership only after personally testing—and failing to withstand—his power. 52 53 55
• Yang Wudi — Old friend and fellow patriarch of the former four affiliated clans. Yang Wudi acts as the intermediary for Niu Gao's recruitment; their familiarity is marked by blunt teasing and mutual understanding. 51 53 55
• Defense Clan — His clan and foremost responsibility. Its lack of resources and continued suppression drive his decision to join Nine Nether Hall. 51 52
• Demon Bear Douluo — Fellow Nine Nether Hall member who becomes close with Niu Gao after integrating into the hall. 70
• Titan — Fellow clan patriarch who collaborates with Niu Gao and the other patriarchs in Nine Nether Hall's training and development. 76

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recruitment into Nine Nether Hall

Yang Wudi offers Niu Gao and the Defense Clan equal treatment to the Breaking Clan, including resources, protection, and cultivation methods. Niu Gao's mistrust of powerful factions makes him reluctant, but he visits the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes to judge Dugu Bo in person. 51 52

Dugu Bo gives him three additional pills and asks whether the Defense Clan will join. Niu Gao makes his agreement conditional: Dugu Bo must break his strongest defense. 53

Trial of Defense

Niu Gao activates the Plate Armor Giant Rhinoceros and its eighth soul skill, Plate Armor Protection. Dugu Bo's Nine Nether Power silently passes through the shield and erodes him from within; Niu Gao withstands the pain without kneeling. 54

After demanding a second attempt, Niu Gao is trapped by Dugu Bo's sixth soul skill, Grasp of the Underworld. Once his armor fractures and Nine Nether Power floods his body, he reaches his limit and finally admits defeat. He and the Defense Clan then join Nine Nether Hall. 54 55

Building Nine Nether Hall

Niu Gao relocates with the Defense Clan to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes valley, supplies construction materials, and begins developing Nine Nether Hall's base. His clan's architectural skills become central to establishing halls, residences, training grounds, warehouses, and other permanent infrastructure. 51 64 76

He also observes Yang Wudi's rapid progress under the Nine Nether Divine Dragon Art and resolves to cultivate diligently rather than be surpassed by his old friend. 58