Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang is a teacher at Notting Academy known as the “Grandmaster.” He has spent years studying martial souls and regards theory as his principal field of expertise. Despite this reputation, he has remained stuck at level 29 for many years and cannot break through to Great Spirit Master. 6

During his time connected to Spirit Hall, Yu Xiaogang frequently accessed public, semi-public, and restricted library materials through his relationship with Bibi Dong. Su Hang’s diary alleges that much of Yu Xiaogang’s Ten Core Competencies was compiled from these records rather than personally verified research; Bibi Dong subsequently orders a full review of his old borrowing records. 8

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is highly invested in his status as a theorist and reacts strongly when his cultivation level, research record, or authority is challenged. He maintains a formal, mentor-like demeanor—often standing with his hands behind his back—but struggles to conceal his frustration when Su Hang publicly disputes his theories. 6 10 20

He is patient and supportive toward Tang San, repeatedly defending the control-type path and explaining setbacks as temporary adaptation or training issues. This loyalty also manifests as bias: he continues to rationalize Tang San’s unstable spirit skill even after it nearly harms others. 17 20 33

Abilities & Skills

Martial Soul Theory

Yu Xiaogang specializes in analyzing martial souls, spirit rings, and cultivation paths.

• Identified that Tang San’s innate full soul power and Blue Silver Grass implied a second martial soul. 7
• Developed guidance for Tang San’s Blue Silver Grass control path, including using Entangle for restriction and Sleeve Arrows for follow-up attacks. 20 28
• Possesses extensive knowledge of soul-beast habits and prepared a Datura Snake hunt for Tang San’s first spirit ring. 10
• His practical knowledge is repeatedly challenged by Su Hang, who points out omitted behavioral details about Datura Snakes and the limitations of Yu Xiaogang’s Beast Repellent Powder. 10 11

Luo Sanpao

Yu Xiaogang possesses the martial soul Luo Sanpao.

• Brought Luo Sanpao into the Soul Hunting Forest as support during Tang San’s first-ring hunt. 11 13
• Luo Sanpao was frightened by Variegated Cat Beasts and later weakened by poisonous mist, limiting Yu Xiaogang’s ability to assist Tang San against the Mandala Snake. 11 13

Relationships

• Tang San — Master and disciple. Yu Xiaogang recognizes Tang San’s twin martial souls and accepts him as a disciple, hoping to guide Blue Silver Grass along a control-type path. 7 9
• Su Hang — Antagonistic academy counterpart. Su Hang rejects Yu Xiaogang’s request to examine his martial soul, ridicules his level-29 bottleneck, and repeatedly challenges his theory and teaching. 6 10 20
• Bibi Dong — Formerly close enough that Yu Xiaogang received access to Spirit Hall library materials through her. The diary’s accusations concerning this access cause Bibi Dong to order an investigation. 8
• Xiao Wu — Academy student openly hostile to Yu Xiaogang’s treatment of Su Hang and his requests for help during the Mandala Snake battle. 6 14
• Ning Rongrong — Dismissive of Yu Xiaogang’s reputation and critical of the instability in Tang San’s spirit skill. 22 23 33
• Teacher Zhao — Fellow Notting Academy teacher whose handling of Tang San’s safety incidents conflicts with Yu Xiaogang’s defense of his disciple. 30 34 39
• Zhu Zhuqing — Yu Xiaogang attempts to persuade her to defer her conflict with the Zhu Family until reaching Shrek, but she rejects his intervention. 46 47

Story Role / Major Arcs

Tang San’s Apprenticeship

Yu Xiaogang first notices Tang San at Dorm Seven after failing to gain access to Su Hang’s unusual purple first spirit ring. Tang San’s innate full soul power and Blue Silver Grass attract Yu Xiaogang’s interest; he infers the existence of Tang San’s second martial soul and becomes his master. 6 7

Soul Hunting Forest Expedition

Yu Xiaogang leads Tang San toward a Mandala Snake intended as his first spirit ring. Su Hang and Xiao Wu join the expedition, openly challenge Yu Xiaogang’s methods, and interfere with the hunt. The resulting spirit ring is damaged and mismatched, leaving Tang San’s Entangle skill unstable; Yu Xiaogang knows the ring’s compatibility was severed but attributes the problem to an adaptation period. 10 16 18

Notting Academy Training Disputes

Yu Xiaogang publicly promotes Tang San’s control-type development, defending Entangle’s poison, binding, and restriction potential. Su Hang, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and other students repeatedly expose the skill’s delayed activation, poor durability, backlash, and danger to bystanders. 20 23 33

After Tang San’s control practice nearly injures students, Yu Xiaogang defends him and argues that training risks do not invalidate the control-type path. Tang San is nevertheless required to complete a makeup assessment, for which Yu Xiaogang acts as guarantor. 33 34 39

Journey toward Shrek Academy

Yu Xiaogang accompanies Tang San toward Shrek Academy after the academy assessments. He encourages Tang San to rely on himself despite their comparatively limited travel resources. 39

When the group encounters Zhu Zhuqing and the Zhu Family, Yu Xiaogang supports Tang San’s attempt to delay the dispute until they reach Shrek. Su Hang challenges Yu Xiaogang over Shrek’s responsibility for Dai Mubai’s conduct toward Zhu Zhuqing. 46 47

Trivia

• Yu Xiaogang’s most sensitive weakness is his long-standing inability to advance beyond level 29. 6
• His preferred formal pose is standing with his hands behind his back. 6 7 10
• His reliance on “adaptation periods” to explain Tang San’s flawed first spirit ring becomes a recurring point of criticism. 18 20 23