Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Grandmaster
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Monster Academy (formerly Shrek Academy)
Occupation/Role	Martial soul theorist; Tang San's teacher
Soul Power	Rank 29 Soul Grandmaster 88 232
Current Condition	Facial disfigurement caused by Dugu Bo's poison; wears a mask. His legs were later crippled and described as severed, leaving him dependent on a wheelchair. 150 174 221 260 272
First Appearance	Chapter 22

Power Progression

Period	Soul Power	Development
Current known cultivation	Rank 29 Soul Grandmaster	Possesses two soul rings and remains unable to cross the rank-30 barrier despite the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's past investment in him. 87 88 208
After Tang San's confinement	Rank 29 Soul Grandmaster	Considers obtaining a pill to increase his strength, despite previously condemning methods that trade potential or lifespan for power. 209
After confronting Tang Wulin's bloodline	Rank 29 Soul Grandmaster	Remains below rank 30 while attempting to use his understanding of martial soul evolution and bloodlines to find a way to change his own circumstances. 225 232
After the Sunset Forest incident	Rank 29 Soul Grandmaster	Remains physically weakened and later becomes dependent on a wheelchair after Dugu Bo cripples his legs; Tang San considers limb restoration possible only through future advanced cultivation. 260 272

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang is the son of Yu Yuanzhen, head of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. His mutated martial soul and poor talent led his clan to regard him as worthless. He subsequently devoted himself to researching martial souls and cultivation theory. 52 103

He was formerly involved with Bibi Dong, now the Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall. Yu Xiaogang believes she approached him to obtain his martial-soul research before abandoning him, leaving him resentful and determined never to submit to her. 52 103

Despite this resentment, after Dugu Bo disfigures him and Tang San is confined in Shrek Academy, Yu Xiaogang writes to Bibi Dong seeking her assistance against Shrek Academy and requesting her Twin Martial Souls cultivation method for Tang San. The letter is discarded before reaching her. 174 178

He became Tang San's teacher before the latter entered Shrek Academy, teaching him martial soul classifications, soul-ring configurations, and soul-skill applications. His letter to Flender identifies Tang San as his disciple. 22 53

After Yu Luomian and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan elders remove his name from the clan genealogy, Yu Xiaogang is formally expelled from the clan. He and Tang San leave together for Sunset Forest, where they reaffirm that they can rely only upon each other and vow to avenge their humiliation. 236 250

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is intensely proud of his theoretical knowledge and presents himself as an authority on martial souls. He is sensitive about his rank-29 cultivation and reacts poorly when his practical qualifications are questioned. 51 87 88

His desire to prove himself shapes many of his decisions. He seeks exceptional disciples—particularly Tang San and later Long Chen—to validate his theories and answer past humiliations from his clan, Bibi Dong, and stronger soul masters. 52 87 88 95

Yu Xiaogang is prone to jealousy and rationalization when confronting talents who contradict his theories. After witnessing Long Chen's innate Radiant Sacred Dragon martial soul and extraordinary soul rings, he convinces himself that Long Chen must have sacrificed his future potential or lifespan. 87 88

His setbacks deepen his bitterness toward Shrek Academy. Following Tang San's disappearance, his disfigurement, and his failed appeal to Bibi Dong, he becomes increasingly desperate and vengeful, including threatening suicide to compel Flender and Liu Erlong to seek help from his father. 150 174 178

Despite his pride and insecurity, he is deeply attached to Tang San. He provides training, medicinal resources, emotional support, and repeatedly risks his standing and safety to help his disciple. 59 83 103 120 134

Yu Xiaogang increasingly treats Tang San as both his sole trusted companion and the final proof that his theories and life possess value. During Tang San's conflict with Yang Wudi, he panics at the prospect of losing the disciple on whom he has staked his reputation and future. 250 263

His response to exceptional talent is inconsistent. He expresses happiness at Tang Wulin's victory, yet privately envies Tang Wulin's gifts, attempts to acquire him as a disciple for bloodline research, and ultimately resolves to focus on Tang San when Tang Wulin remains beyond his reach. 227 231 232 274

After becoming disabled and being excluded from his clan, Yu Xiaogang becomes increasingly manipulative and desperate. He proposes that Tang San claim to be Tang Xiao's illegitimate son so that Tang San can gain access to the Clear Sky Sect's resources and, potentially, help restore Yu Xiaogang's standing. 272 273

Abilities & Skills

Martial Soul Theory

Yu Xiaogang is a martial soul researcher and calls himself the proposer of the Ten Great Martial Soul Competitiveness. 87

• Advises Tang San on suitable soul beasts and soul-ring absorption. 76
• Plans Tang San's soul-skill development, including a future detoxification skill to complement Blue Silver Poison Miasma. 83
• Designs demanding physical training and recovery routines, including weighted running, climbing, sparring, and medicinal baths. 59 103
• His theory concerning Shrek students' thousand-year first and second rings is presented as their strength coming at the expense of future potential or lifespan. 53
• Recommends that Tang San's third soul ring be approximately 1,700 years old and rejects soul beasts whose age or attributes he considers unsuitable. 76
• Gives Tang San the Soul Arena title Thousand-Silk Poison Lord, referring to Tang San's Blue Silver Grass and poison-based soul skills. 120
• After Tang San acquires three ten-year rings for his Clear Sky Hammer, he argues that Tang San can still compensate with powerful later rings once his Blue Silver Grass has developed further. 186
• Also presents himself as the proposer of the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls when addressing Dugu Bo and other soul masters. 149 273
• Realizes that martial-soul evolution can be related to bloodline power after observing Tang Wulin's abilities, believing this insight may offer a way to change his own fate. 225
• Attempts to infer Tang Wulin's parentage from the latter's Blue Silver Emperor bloodline and seeks to make Tang Wulin his disciple in exchange for information, intending to research the youth's bloodline. 231 232
• Advises Tang San to adopt the identity of Tang Xiao's illegitimate son, reasoning that Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer lineage and six remaining soul-ring slots can outweigh the stigma of his three white soul rings. 272 273

Martial Soul Fusion Skill

Yu Xiaogang can perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Flender and Liu Erlong as part of the Golden Iron Triangle. 22

• The three-person fusion is stated to be capable of confronting an eight-ring Soul Douluo. 22
• Yu Xiaogang claims that, after fusion, his strength can rival that of a Titled Douluo. 88
• The fused martial soul is the Radiant Sacred Dragon. 88

Cultivation

Yu Xiaogang is a rank-29 Soul Grandmaster. 88

• His stamina is limited; he struggles to carry a large sack of resources returned from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. 95
• His low soul-power level is used by Long Chen to challenge his credibility as a prospective teacher. 88
• He regards rank 30 as an insurmountable barrier in his own cultivation and is unsettled when observing other low-innate-soul-power students whose growth differs from his own. 208
• He considers using a pill to improve his strength, even though he formerly denounced cultivation methods that allegedly consume potential or lifespan. 209
• Dugu Bo later cripples his legs, leaving him unable to walk and reliant on a wheelchair. 260 261
• Tang San judges it nearly impossible to restore Yu Xiaogang's severed legs at their current level, though he believes sufficiently advanced cultivation may someday allow limb regeneration. 272

Equipment / Items

• Storage Soul Tool — worn on his wrist; unable to hold all of the resources he brought back for Tang San. 95
• Cultivation resources and medicinal herbs — obtained for Tang San's recovery and training. 83 95 103
• Mask — requests that Flender and Liu Erlong bring him one after Dugu Bo disfigures his face with poison; later wears one in public. 150 221
• Letter to Bibi Dong — sent through a Heaven Dou City shopkeeper, requesting aid against Shrek Academy and Bibi Dong's Twin Martial Souls cultivation method; it is intercepted and burned. 174 178
• Letter to Tang Yuehua — jointly signed with Tang San to inform her that Tang Hao is imprisoned in Shrek Academy. 220
• Wheelchair — used after Dugu Bo cripples his legs, leaving him unable to move independently during his encounters with Yang Wudi and Tang Xiao. 260 261 264

Relationships

• Tang San — disciple; Yu Xiaogang trains, supplies, and emotionally supports him, while viewing Tang San as the means to prove his theories. Yu Xiaogang remains committed to rescuing him after Shrek Academy confines him. After their expulsion from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the two vow mutual loyalty; Yu Xiaogang later sends Tang San to the Clear Sky Sect under Tang Xiao's protection so that he can gain superior resources and instruction. 22 83 103 120 134 186 250 273 274
• Flender — fellow member of the Golden Iron Triangle; assists Yu Xiaogang in efforts to recover Tang San and petition the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan for aid. Flender later supports Yu Xiaogang's decision to let Tang San depart for the Clear Sky Sect. 22 148 150 175 274
• Liu Erlong — fellow member of the Golden Iron Triangle and Yu Xiaogang's devoted lover; she agrees to help rescue Tang San and fiercely defends Yu Xiaogang against his clan's insults. Their relationship is complicated by their familial connection. 148 150 175 217
• Bibi Dong — former lover and current Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall; Yu Xiaogang believes she used his research and abandoned him. Despite his resentment, he later asks her for assistance, but his letter is destroyed. 52 103 174 178
• Yu Yuanzhen — father and head of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan; distrusts Yu Xiaogang's plan to cultivate Tang San into a Title Douluo, but ultimately personally accompanies the attempt to rescue Yu Xiaogang and Tang San from Shrek Academy. Yu Xiaogang later cuts emotional ties with him after the clan expels him. 52 95 176 177 236 250
• Yu Luomian — uncle and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's second-in-command; his past actions involving Liu Erlong contributed to Yu Xiaogang's estrangement from the clan. Yu Luomian later initiates the unanimous vote that removes Yu Xiaogang from the clan genealogy. 175 177 217 236
• Tang Hao — Tang San's father, the Clear Sky Douluo. Yu Xiaogang was entrusted with Tang San's training, but Tang Hao later blames him for Tang San's confinement and suffering in Shrek Academy. 83 102 180
• Tang Yuehua — Tang Hao's sister and master of Moonlight Pavilion; she approaches Yu Xiaogang after receiving his and Tang San's letter concerning Tang Hao's imprisonment. She later informs Yu Xiaogang and Tang San that the Blue Silver King may awaken Tang San's bloodline. 220 222 250
• Tang Xiao — Clear Sky Sect master who rescues Tang San from Yang Wudi, includes Yu Xiaogang in his invitation to Moonlight Pavilion, and later accepts Tang San publicly as his son following Yu Xiaogang's proposal. 264 273
• Long Chen — a gifted Soul King Yu Xiaogang attempts to recruit as a disciple; Long Chen rejects him. 87 88
• Tang Wulin — an extraordinarily gifted Blue Silver Emperor wielder whose Golden Dragon bloodline fascinates Yu Xiaogang. Yu Xiaogang tries to recruit him as a disciple and demand access to his bloodline for research, but Tang Wulin rejects him. 225 231 232
• Dugu Bo — poisons Yu Xiaogang's face after he attempts to enlist him against Shrek Academy. Dugu Bo later cripples Yu Xiaogang's legs, deepening Yu Xiaogang's hatred of Shrek Academy and its allies. 149 150 260
• Sima Jinchi — Shrek Academy's Golden-Haired Title Douluo; incapacitates Yu Xiaogang when he demands Tang San's release at Shrek Academy's gates. 178
• Yang Wudi — leader of the Breaking Clan who initially travels amicably with Tang San under the false name Yu Xiaosan. After Ning Rongrong exposes Tang San's identity as Tang Hao's son, Yang Wudi turns against Tang San; Yu Xiaogang unsuccessfully attempts to calm and deter him. 260 261 262 263
• Ning Rongrong — a Shrek Academy student and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect member whom Yu Xiaogang resents for exposing Tang San's identity to Yang Wudi and escalating the latter's attempt on Tang San's life. 261 262 263
• Ma Hongjun — student under Yu Xiaogang's supervision at Monster Academy. Yu Xiaogang is left to care for him when his Evil Fire becomes unstable, but the resulting eruption incapacitates them both. 274

Story Role / Major Arcs

Arrival at Shrek Academy

Yu Xiaogang sends Tang San to deliver a letter to Flender, establishing Tang San as his disciple. He later arrives in person but initially mistakes the counterfeit academy for the real Shrek Academy and is confronted by the Titled Douluo Zhuo Shi. 22 51

Shocked by Zhuo Shi's three hundred-thousand-year spirit rings, Yu Xiaogang concludes that Bibi Dong and Spirit Hall may be behind the opposing academy. He resolves to cultivate a powerful soul master to prove himself. 52

Training Tang San

When Tang San questions the extraordinary soul-ring configurations used by students across the street, Yu Xiaogang explains them as a destructive shortcut that sacrifices future potential or lifespan; Tang San accepts the explanation and renews his trust. 53

Yu Xiaogang imposes intensive group and individual training, arranges medicinal baths, advises Tang San's third soul-ring hunt, and later returns to his clan for resources after Tang San suffers meridian damage. 59 76 83 95

After Xiao Wu's departure, he intensifies Tang San's regimen with the resources obtained from his clan. He also tells Tang San that Tang Hao is the Clear Sky Douluo and has secretly protected him. 102 103

Attempts to Validate His Theories

While in Tiantou City, Yu Xiaogang witnesses Long Chen's Radiant Sacred Dragon martial soul and exceptional five-ring configuration. Seeing a connection to his own fused martial soul, he attempts to recruit Long Chen to prove his theories, but is rebuffed by Long Chen and the youth's existing teacher. 87 88

Yu Xiaogang later returns to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to request resources for Tang San's cultivation. Although Yu Yuanzhen doubts that a Blue Silver Grass soul master can reach the Titled Douluo level, he provides enough resources to cultivate a Soul Douluo. 95 176

Xiao Wu's Departure

After Xiao Wu leaves Tang San, Yu Xiaogang intensifies Tang San's training and offers himself as a dependable replacement source of support. He channels Tang San's grief into cultivation and arranges a Soul Arena match to restore his confidence. 103 120

During this period, Yu Xiaogang gives Tang San the title Thousand-Silk Poison Lord after Tang San's Blue Silver Poison Miasma helps him win his Soul Arena match. 120

Tang San's Disappearance

When Tang San goes missing after entering Shrek Academy, Yu Xiaogang vows to destroy the academy if his disciple is harmed. He asks Liu Erlong and Flender to help rescue Tang San, but Dugu Bo poisons and disfigures him after he speaks against Shrek Academy. 134 148 149 150

Appeals for Aid and Assault on Shrek Academy

Following his disfigurement, Yu Xiaogang writes to Bibi Dong for help and requests her Twin Martial Souls cultivation method for Tang San. The letter never reaches her, as Spirit Hall destroys it. 174 178

Yu Xiaogang pressures Flender and Liu Erlong into approaching the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Yu Yuanzhen ultimately agrees to intervene despite the clan's concerns about provoking Shrek Academy. 150 175 176 177

At Shrek Academy's gates, Yu Xiaogang demands Tang San's release but is immediately incapacitated by Sima Jinchi. Liu Erlong is likewise defeated, and Yu Yuanzhen is unable to overcome Shrek Academy's defenders. 178 179

Confinement and Aftermath

Yu Xiaogang awakens in Shrek Academy's Confinement Room alongside Tang San, Tang Hao, and Liu Erlong. He interprets Yu Yuanzhen and Flender not being imprisoned with him as another betrayal, while Tang Hao angrily holds him responsible for sending Tang San into Shrek Academy. 180

When Tang San reveals that his Clear Sky Hammer has acquired three white ten-year soul rings, Yu Xiaogang is left stunned. He nevertheless reassures Tang Hao that Tang San can still improve the hammer through later high-level soul rings. 185 186

Yu Xiaogang and Tang San later describe their confinement as a one-month punishment resulting from a wager with Shrek Academy. Afterward, Yu Xiaogang continues accompanying Tang San at Shrek Academy's freshman competition while remaining hostile toward the academy. 186 222

Shrek Academy Freshman Competition

While observing the competition, Yu Xiaogang is disturbed by the disparity between his own stalled cultivation and students with similarly low innate soul power. He contemplates seeking a pill from Yu Yuanzhen to strengthen himself. 208 209

Tang Yuehua later identifies him as Grandmaster and consults him regarding Tang Hao's confinement. Yu Xiaogang is privately pleased that his reputation has reached the master of Moonlight Pavilion. 221 222

Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon bloodline and unusual golden soul rings lead Yu Xiaogang to conclude that martial souls, soul-beast bloodlines, and martial-soul evolution are connected. He reacts as though he has found a possible means of saving himself. 224 225

Pursuit of Tang Wulin's Bloodline

Believing that Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Emperor indicates a connection to Tang Hao and Ah Yin, Yu Xiaogang approaches him with purported information about his parents. He offers to reveal it only if Tang Wulin becomes his disciple, then adds that Tang Wulin must provide his bloodline for research. 231 232

Tang Wulin and Xie Xie reject and ridicule Yu Xiaogang's demands, while Cai Yue'er rebukes Yu Xiaogang and Tang San for causing a disturbance. Yu Xiaogang's subsequent attempt to expose Tang Wulin's identity fails, further humiliating him. 232 233

Expulsion from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan

Yu Luomian brings Yu Xiaogang before the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan elders, arguing that Yu Yuanzhen's repeated use of clan resources and risks on Yu Xiaogang's behalf have endangered the clan. The elders unanimously vote to remove Yu Xiaogang from the genealogy. 236

After Yu Luomian strikes out his name, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San are forcibly expelled from the clan grounds. Yu Xiaogang vows revenge and refuses to accept that he has permanently lost his home. 236

Journey to Sunset Forest

Following their expulsion, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San travel to Sunset Forest to seek the Blue Silver King, which Tang Yuehua says may awaken Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor bloodline. Both master and disciple conclude that they can trust only one another and vow to repay their humiliation. 250

Tang San disperses surrounding soul beasts with Blue Silver Poison Miasma but accidentally poisons Yu Xiaogang, leaving him near death. Yu Xiaogang begs Tang San to seek treatment, fearing that he will die as worthless trash before seeing Tang San fulfill his potential. 250 251

Disability and the Yang Wudi Conflict

Dugu Bo later cripples Yu Xiaogang's legs, leaving him in a wheelchair and intensifying his resentment toward Shrek Academy. While traveling with Tang San and Yang Wudi, Yu Xiaogang becomes alarmed when Ning Rongrong reveals that Tang San had concealed his identity as Tang Hao's son. 260 261

Yu Xiaogang attempts to prevent Yang Wudi from attacking Tang San by invoking his connection to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and warning of consequences for public violence. His appeals fail, worsen Yang Wudi's anger, and leave Yu Xiaogang injured when the shockwave from Yang Wudi's attack overturns his wheelchair. 262 263

Tang Xiao ultimately saves Tang San by defeating Yang Wudi and invites both Tang San and Yu Xiaogang to Moonlight Pavilion. Yu Xiaogang remains physically vulnerable but retains his place within Tang San's growing network of allies. 264

Tang San's Departure for the Clear Sky Sect

Unable to restore Yu Xiaogang's severed legs at their present level, Tang San explains that future high-level cultivation may eventually make regeneration possible. Yu Xiaogang then seeks a route back into the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and proposes that Tang San claim to be Tang Xiao's illegitimate son, allowing Tang San to gain standing and resources within the Clear Sky Sect. 272

Yu Xiaogang reassures Tang San that his three white Clear Sky Hammer rings do not erase his potential, comparing Tang San's situation to Yu Xiaogang's own low-talent upbringing and Liu Erlong's illegitimate birth. Tang Xiao accepts the proposal and formally recognizes Tang San as his son. 273

Although Yu Xiaogang outwardly lets Tang San go for the disciple's benefit, he privately believes that Tang San's eventual achievements will still validate his own guidance and bring him recognition. He remains at Monster Academy, intending to stake the rest of his life on Tang San's future. 274

Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire Incident

After Tang San's departure, Flender leaves the unstable Ma Hongjun in Yu Xiaogang's care while seeking treatment for injured students. Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire suddenly erupts, engulfing the room and knocking both him and Yu Xiaogang unconscious. 274

Notable Quotes

“No matter how grand a spectacle you create, I will never submit to you.” 52

“Xiao Wu is gone, but you still have me, your teacher.” 103

“Little San, trust me. I won't leave you.” 103

“If anything happens to Xiaosan, then I won't live either!” 150

“Little San... one day, I will repay this humiliation a hundredfold.” 250