Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Grandmaster; “Master of Theory”
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Shrek Academy
Occupation/Role	Shrek Academy leader and teacher; martial-soul theorist
Status	Deceased; he lost his mind and died after witnessing Tang San's death 67
First Appearance	Chapter 8

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang led Shrek Academy after its humiliation at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Convinced that his reputation as the “Grandmaster” would secure him an honored position, he took Dai Mubai to Blue Silver Academy, expecting its dean to welcome him personally and recruit him. Ye Lingling instead treated the visit as an ordinary exchange tour and refused his demand to see Xu Qing 8 9.

During the visit, Xiaogang promoted his Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls, including a rigid first-spirit-ring age limit. Ye Lingling refuted the claim with Blue Silver Academy’s teachings on physical constitution, meridians, and mental power; nearby students identified Xiaogang’s theories as examples in Notes on the Ten Common Erroneous Theories. He recognized the logic of Ye Lingling’s rebuttal but was left humiliated by the academy’s dismissal of his work 9.

When Dai Mubai attacked Shui Bing’er and Shui Yue’er and was crippled in retaliation, Xiaogang demanded justice despite knowing Dai had initiated the conflict. Blue Silver Academy expelled Shrek, and Xiaogang began treating the academy as an enemy whose territory and resources should be seized 11 12 15 16.

He repeatedly encouraged Shrek to provoke Blue Silver Academy, appeal to stronger allies, and exploit Ning Rongrong’s disappearance to turn the major factions against Xu Qing. These plans collapsed when Dugu Bo openly sided with Blue Silver Academy and forced Shrek’s retreat 24 27 32.

At Xu Qing’s centennial banquet, Xiaogang publicly accused Blue Silver Academy of plagiarizing his theories. Qian Daoliu revealed that the Spirit Hall manuscripts Xiaogang had used were teaching notes Xu Qing had left behind more than ninety years earlier. Xiaogang rejected the revelation, denounced Xu Qing as a thief, and Bi Ji severed his right arm after he continued insulting Xu Qing 38 39.

After Shrek’s continued defeats, Xiaogang’s fixation intensified. He tore up Xu Qing’s Soul Master Study Canon, forbade Shrek students from reading it, and later destroyed another copy of Xu Qing’s Martial Soul Canon after recognizing that its scholarship far surpassed his own theories 50 62.

He attempted to rely on Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Sect, and eventually Tang San’s ascension as the Sea God to avenge Shrek. Xiaogang stood beside Tang San’s coalition during its attack on Blue Silver Academy, but Xu Qing’s nine million-year spirit rings shattered his hopes. Tang San’s death caused Xiaogang’s final mental collapse and death 51 58 65 66 67.

Appearance

In his later appearances, Yu Xiaogang is depicted as physically deteriorated and unkempt following repeated injuries, defeats, and exile from Shrek’s former grounds.

• Often wore coarse or worn linen clothing during Shrek’s conflicts with Blue Silver Academy 38 39.
• His right arm was severed by Bi Ji at Xu Qing’s birthday banquet 39.
• Later appeared with messy hair, grimy clothing, and a wounded, infected arm stump while hiding with the Shrek group 50.
• By the war against Blue Silver Academy, his empty sleeve and scarred, mud-covered appearance reflected his decline 65.

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is intensely proud of his status as a martial-soul theorist. He expects deference from others, treats his “Grandmaster” reputation as proof of authority, and reacts with anger when Blue Silver Academy refuses to recognize him 8 9.

He is protective of Shrek’s members, particularly Dai Mubai and Tang San, but this loyalty is consistently tied to Shrek’s interests rather than impartial judgment. Even after learning that Dai Mubai initiated the attack on Blue Silver Academy’s students, Xiaogang continued to demand punishment for the academy 11 12.

His humiliation at Blue Silver Academy develops into jealousy, paranoia, and obsession. He repeatedly dismisses Xu Qing’s accomplishments as deception, attributes Blue Silver Academy’s power to stolen knowledge or a treasure land, and refuses to accept evidence that disproves his theories 38 47 50. By the later arcs, he is willing to incite Tang Hao and Tang San toward revenge despite the consequences 51 62.

Abilities & Skills

Martial Soul Theory

Yu Xiaogang built his reputation around the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls.

• Asserted that a first spirit ring could never exceed 432 years without causing the spirit master to die 9.
• His fixed-limit theory was challenged by Blue Silver Academy’s instruction, which accounts for a spirit master’s physique, meridian strength, and mental power 9.
• His theories were later exposed as derived from Spirit Hall manuscripts originally written by Xu Qing 38.
• He continued to defend his theories even after acknowledging the superior logic of Xu Qing’s published study canons 50 62.

Martial Soul Fusion Skill

Yu Xiaogang can join Flender and Liu Erlong in a three-person Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

• Sun and Moon Shine, Golden Rotation — combines the trio’s soul power and transforms Luo Sanpao into a Golden Sacred Dragon phantom 56.
• The fusion skill was easily neutralized by Dugu Bo, whose poison manifested as countless emerald snakes that bypassed its pressure 56.

Relationships

• Tang San — Disciple and closest supporter. Xiaogang encouraged Tang San’s hatred of Xu Qing and relied on his eventual Sea God status for revenge 16 65 66.
• Dai Mubai — Shrek student whom Xiaogang accompanied to Blue Silver Academy and defended after Dai attacked its students 8 11 12.
• Flender — Shrek colleague and fellow participant in the Martial Soul Fusion Skill 27 56.
• Liu Erlong — Shrek colleague and participant in the Martial Soul Fusion Skill 27 56.
• Yu Yuanzhen — His father and the leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. Yu Yuanzhen rebuked Xiaogang for disrupting Xu Qing’s banquet but could not retaliate after Bi Ji severed his son’s arm 38 39.
• Xu Qing — Primary adversary. Xiaogang accused him of plagiarism, sought to seize Blue Silver Academy, and blamed him for Shrek’s downfall 15 38 66.
• Dugu Bo — Opponent who publicly ridiculed Xiaogang, drove Shrek away from Blue Silver Academy, and defeated his fusion skill 27 56.
• Ning Rongrong — Former Shrek student who openly condemned Xiaogang’s teachings as empty rhetoric that harmed Shrek’s students 56.
• Tang Hao — Ally Xiaogang attempted to use against Xu Qing; he later provoked Tang Hao by emphasizing Tang San’s ruin and Xu Qing’s growing influence 51 62.

Notable Quotes

“The limit for a Spirit Master's first spirit ring must absolutely not exceed four hundred and thirty-two years!” 9

“My Ten Core Competencies are peerless under heaven! They are the crystallization of my life's blood and sweat!” 39

“No one is allowed to look at this twisted heresy! This is poison Xu Qing is using to bewitch people's hearts!” 50