Grandmaster

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Grandmaster
Alias(es)	Yu Xiaogang; Master
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Notting Academy; Tang San's mentor
Occupation/Role	Martial Soul theorist; advisor on spirit-ring selection
First Appearance	Chapter 4

Background / History

Grandmaster intervenes when Notting Academy's gatekeeper humiliates Tang San, Du Hao, and Old Jack. He orders the gatekeeper to explain himself to the principal, making clear his opposition to bullying weaker people. 4

At the academy, he examines the boys' Spirit Hall certificates. Du Hao's Green Onion spirit and innate level-two spirit power do not visibly affect him, but Tang San's Blue Silver Grass paired with innate full spirit power immediately excites him. He personally brings both boys to registration. 5

Tang San addresses him as “Teacher” and later becomes his disciple. Grandmaster invites Tang San to meals and discusses cultivation and spirit-ring preparations with him. 5 10 11 13

After encountering Du Hao's Martial Soul Evolution Theory, Grandmaster becomes intensely absorbed in its claims that Martial Souls can evolve through compatible spirit rings. The material expands his confidence in researching evolution paths and spirit-ring compatibility. 20 22

Personality

Grandmaster is stern, intellectually driven, and deeply opposed to abuses of power. His usually stiff demeanor softens around promising students and valuable new knowledge. 4 5 10

He is exceptionally eager to learn. He pursues Du Hao's books with near-single-minded enthusiasm, including leaping after a copy of Martial Soul Evolution Theory (Part 2) when Xiao Wu throws it from a window. 20

Though initially unsettled that Du Hao possesses valuable theory but has barely read it, he remains willing to help him choose a suitable spirit ring. 22

Abilities & Skills

Martial Soul and Spirit-Beast Theory

Grandmaster possesses extensive theoretical knowledge of Martial Souls, soul beasts, and spirit-ring effects.

• Identified the anomaly of Tang San having innate full spirit power with Blue Silver Grass. 5
• Explained food-type Martial Souls' adaptability when selecting spirit rings. 22
• Presented several spirit-beast options for Du Hao's Green Onion, including the Speechless Ox-Horse, Bamboo Pepper, Flying Rain Chicken, and Emerald Garlic. 22 23
• Explained that compatible spirit beasts can produce pre-compatibility resonance and may offer a chance of Martial Soul evolution. 26
• Warned that spirit-skill choices are lifelong and must be made carefully. 23

Martial Soul Evolution Research

After studying Martial Soul Evolution Theory, Grandmaster revises and expands his understanding of how spirit rings can affect a Martial Soul.

• Accepts that Martial Souls are not immutable. 22
• Studies the possibility that absorbing same-type spirit rings can trigger controlled positive evolution. 22
• Describes himself as better equipped to deduce an evolution path after studying the theory. 22

Connections and Planning

Grandmaster relies on trusted connections when a task exceeds his own practical capabilities.

• Delays Du Hao's spirit hunt for two days to summon his old friend Flender. 24
• Recognizes that the Flying Rain Chicken is too dangerous to pursue with his available strength. 23
• Arranges for Flender's scouting ability and Spirit Hall token to support the hunt in the Soul Hunting Forest. 24 25

Relationships

• Tang San — Master and disciple. Grandmaster is fascinated by Tang San's innate full spirit power and Blue Silver Grass, personally oversees his academy entry, and guides his cultivation planning. 5 10 13
• Du Hao — Consults Grandmaster on spirit-ring selection and supplies him with Martial Soul evolution theory, despite rarely studying the material himself. 20 22 23
• Flender — Longtime friend and principal of Shrek Academy. Grandmaster calls on him to assist Du Hao's spirit hunt. 24
• Xiao Wu — Deals with her impatience and carrot-based bargaining while trying to obtain Du Hao's evolution-theory books. 20
• Old Jack — Receives Tang San and Du Hao's Spirit Hall certificates from him at Notting Academy. 5

Story Role / Major Arcs

Notting Academy Enrollment

Grandmaster resolves the gatekeeper incident, reviews the new students' certificates, and personally leads Tang San and Du Hao through registration. 4 5

Tang San's Mentorship

He becomes Tang San's master, meets with him privately, and prepares him for his first spirit-ring hunt. 5 10 13

Martial Soul Evolution Theory

Du Hao's books transform Grandmaster's research into a focused study of spirit-ring compatibility and controllable Martial Soul evolution. 20 22

Du Hao's First Spirit Ring

Grandmaster evaluates potential spirit beasts for the Green Onion Martial Soul, recommends Emerald Garlic as his preferred option, and summons Flender to help secure it. 22 23 24

Trivia

• Grandmaster is not a teacher at Notting Academy, despite Tang San initially calling him “Teacher.” 5
• He has a three-ring Soul Master level of strength. 23
• His enthusiasm for knowledge is strong enough that Xiao Wu can lure him away from Du Hao's room by throwing out a book. 20