Niu Gao

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Niu Gao (牛皋)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Defense Clan; later sworn follower of Lu Xiao
Occupation/Role	Patriarch / Clan Chief of the Defense Clan
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 82

Background / History

Niu Gao arrived in Heaven Dou City to meet Lu Xiao after Titan recommended that the Defense Clan submit to him. Though he accepted Lu Xiao's exceptional talent, Niu Gao refused to pledge his clan without following the Defense Clan's tradition: Lu Xiao had to endure three of his punches, after which Niu Gao would take three in return. 82

Niu Gao initially restrained his first punch to thirty percent strength, then escalated the next two to fifty and seventy percent. Lu Xiao withstood all three, including the final strike by using Golden Dragon: No Use to dissipate most of its force. 82 83

Lu Xiao's three counterattacks progressively demonstrated the gap between them: a dragonified punch staggered Niu Gao, Titan Meteor sent him into a wall without seriously injuring him, and Golden Dragon Claw cut through his defensive keratin and left five wounds across his chest. 82 83

Recognizing Lu Xiao's strength, Niu Gao swore on his Armored Rhino Martial Soul that the entire Defense Clan would serve Lu Xiao faithfully. Lu Xiao subsequently directed him to relocate the clan's core members to Heaven Dou City and prepare to build defensive fortifications when the Body Sect required them. 83

After Lu Xiao left, Du Busi demanded that Niu Gao take one further punch as recompense for striking his disciple. Niu Gao used Martial Soul Possession and his eighth soul skill's Dark Rhino Heavy Armor, but Du Busi shattered the armor and sent him through multiple courtyard walls. Niu Gao survived, albeit badly injured. 83

Appearance

Niu Gao is a broad-shouldered, heavily built elder whose physique is compared to a solid fortress. 82

• Red, jujube-colored face and a ruddy complexion. 82
• Short gray hair that stands up like steel needles. 82
• Large, bright, bell-like eyes. 82
• Only half a head shorter than Titan, with an exceptionally sturdy frame. 82

Personality

Niu Gao is proud, stubborn, and highly conscious of the Defense Clan's customs. He would not allow the clan to submit merely on Titan's word, insisting that Lu Xiao prove himself through the traditional exchange of three punches. 82

Despite his pride, he respects demonstrated strength and accepts defeat directly. After witnessing Lu Xiao overcome his offense and break through his defense, Niu Gao immediately made a formal, binding oath of loyalty on behalf of his clan. 83

Abilities & Skills

Armored Rhino Martial Soul

Niu Gao possesses the Armored Rhino Martial Soul and specializes in pure defense. The Defense Clan is a single-attribute clan devoted to defensive cultivation. 83

• His natural skin is described as being as tough as a rhinoceros's hide, even without Martial Soul Possession. 82
• His defensive ability is considered unmatched among Soul Masters of the same rank; even the Elephant Armor Sect is not presented as superior in pure defense. 82
• He endured Lu Xiao's Titan Meteor without injury beyond labored breathing. 83
• His defenses were nevertheless penetrated by Lu Xiao's Golden Dragon Claw, which sliced through his keratin armor and wounded his chest. 83

Defensive Armor

When facing Du Busi, Niu Gao activated Martial Soul Possession and his eighth soul ring, covering himself in thick black armor later identified as Dark Rhino Heavy Armor. 83

• The armor protected his entire body except his eyes. 83
• Du Busi's bare punch cracked and destroyed the armor completely. 83

Physical Strength

Niu Gao's punches carry immense force, enough to shatter stone slabs and drive Lu Xiao back half a step when delivered at fifty percent strength. 83

• His first strike in the wager was deliberately limited to thirty percent strength. 82
• His second strike used fifty percent strength. 83
• His final strike used seventy percent strength, but most of its force was dispersed by Lu Xiao's defensive technique. 83

Architectural Expertise

The Defense Clan designed the buildings of all four clans. Their constructions are outwardly rugged but incorporate numerous defensive mechanisms. 82

• The clan's architectural talent is compared to the Strength Clan's forging expertise. 82
• Under Lu Xiao's command, the Defense Clan is intended to construct defensive fortifications for the Body Sect. 83

Relationships

• Lu Xiao — Initially tested him through a traditional fist duel; after losing, Niu Gao swore the Defense Clan's allegiance to him. 82 83
• Titan — Fellow clan patriarch and supporter of Lu Xiao; Titan introduced Niu Gao and later welcomed their shared service under Lu Xiao. 82 83
• Du Busi — Lu Xiao's master; severely injured Niu Gao with one punch after the duel, while showing restraint by sparing his life. 83
• Tai Nuo — Member of the Strength Clan who notified Lu Xiao of Niu Gao's arrival in Heaven Dou City. 82

Trivia

• Titan calls Niu Gao an “old rhino,” referring to both his Armored Rhino Martial Soul and his stubborn temperament. 82 83
• Niu Gao's formal oath states that the Defense Clan will follow Lu Xiao through fire and water and never betray him. 83