Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Master; Grandmaster; Gangzi
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Shrek Academy; Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan
Occupation/Role	Martial soul theorist; Tang San's teacher; Young Clan Leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Power Progression

Stage	Development
Martial soul awakening	Awakened the detached martial soul Luo Sanpao with only half a level of innate soul power. 22
Cultivation	Reached level 29 through personal effort despite Luo Sanpao's perceived defect. 22
Martial soul fusion	Can participate with Liu Erlong and Flander in the Golden Holy Dragon martial soul fusion skill. 23

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang awakened the detached martial soul Luo Sanpao with only half a level of innate soul power. Ridiculed for his deficient martial soul, he nevertheless cultivated to level 29 through personal effort. He was later expelled from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan by a unanimous decision of its elders. 22

He became known for martial soul theory and authored Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls, which he gave to an academy for free instructional use. He personally investigated 647 Blue Silver Grass martial soul awakenings; according to his findings, only sixteen possessed innate soul power, none above level one. He used this research to support his conclusion that Blue Silver Grass was a useless martial soul. 20

Yu Xiaogang became Tang San's teacher and planned the latter's development along a control-type battle Soul Master path. He later described his aim as cultivating Tang San into an expert “invincible among those of the same rank.” 19

Following the Sky Screen's prediction that Tang San would become a god, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan proposed restoring Yu Xiaogang and granting him the position of Young Clan Leader. The appointment was subsequently made, ostensibly in recognition of his academic ability. 35 47

His reputation later suffers repeated public challenges. Tang Si accuses Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls of relying on unverified or improperly derived conclusions, while the Sky Screen's revelations repeatedly call Yu Xiaogang's deductions and cultivation recommendations into question. 15 18 65

Appearance

Yu Xiaogang is a thin, ordinary-looking man around forty to fifty years old.

• Short black hair slicked back.
• Wears an old black robe.
• Often clasps his hands behind his back to maintain an expert-like bearing.
• Is frequently described as sweating or becoming pale when his theories are publicly challenged. 7 12 16

Personality

Yu Xiaogang presents himself as a composed and learned master, often relying on formal posture and confident declarations to reinforce his authority. He seeks public recognition for his theoretical research and is openly gratified when Tang San's accomplishments are attributed to his instruction. 6 19 34

Under direct scrutiny, however, he becomes anxious, defensive, and prone to improvising explanations. When challenged over Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor, twin martial souls, and Luo Sanpao's origins, he struggles to answer and privately views the Sky Screen as a targeted scam. 12 21 22 28

He is deeply invested in Tang San as both disciple and proof of his theories, calling Tang San's future godhood validation of his cultivation path. Tang San, in turn, reveres him as a father. 19 34

Yu Xiaogang is highly sensitive to humiliation and adverse public opinion. Following Tang Si's rejection and criticism, he attempts to preserve his authority by claiming credit for Tang Si's development and by maintaining that the Sky Screen is fabricating events to target him and Tang San. 28 89 138

He can also be calculating in his personal relationships. When seeking an immortal herb to overcome Luo Sanpao's limitations, he appeals to Liu Erlong's devotion and steers her toward offering herself in exchange for it. 133 136

Abilities & Skills

Martial Soul Theory

Yu Xiaogang is recognized by his supporters as an accomplished martial soul researcher and is capable of offering cultivation recommendations.

• Investigated 647 Blue Silver Grass martial soul cases to formulate conclusions about its rarity of innate soul power. 20
• Advocated poison-attributed spirit rings and a control-type path for Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor. 19 22
• Developed the “invincible among those of the same rank” training objective, prioritizing combat experience for battle Soul Masters. 19
• Suggested Tang Si develop Blue Silver Grass through poison and resilience. 22
• His expertise is repeatedly contested after the Sky Screen exposes inconsistencies in his twin-martial-soul deduction, spirit-ring choices, and understanding of Luo Sanpao. 15 21 23 42
• He later judges the soul rings acquired by Tang Si's group in the Star Dou Great Forest to be excellent choices, including Tang Si's more than six-thousand-year Sky Blue Vine ring. 88

Martial Soul Mimicry Theory

Yu Xiaogang considers his Martial Soul Mimicry theory a conclusion reached through extensive deduction.

• He acknowledges overlooking the issue of soul-ring age.
• He insists the underlying theory itself is correct.
• Tang Si challenges the theory and argues that its application harmed Tang San's development. 16 17

Luo Sanpao

Luo Sanpao is Yu Xiaogang's detached martial soul.

• Yu Xiaogang considers it the burden of his life. 22
• Tang Si identifies it as a Golden Holy Dragon hatchling whose development was suppressed by Yu Xiaogang's treatment. 23
• Luo Sanpao is capable of killing a ten-year Netherworld Wolf with a powerful fart. 31
• Yu Xiaogang seeks an immortal herb in the hope of breaking through the shackles imposed by his martial soul. 133 136

Martial Soul Fusion Skill

Yu Xiaogang can participate in the Golden Holy Dragon martial soul fusion skill with Liu Erlong and Flander.

• He asks Liu Erlong to prepare the fusion skill when Spirit Hall moves against Xiao Wu. 27
• The fusion skill's Golden Holy Dragon attributes prompt questions about Luo Sanpao's actual bloodline. 23 43

Teaching

Yu Xiaogang provides training and cultivation guidance to Shrek students.

• Following his return to Shrek Academy, he teaches Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Dai Mubai. 138
• Under this period of training, Oscar is subjected to close-combat instruction, Ma Hongjun advances to level 29, and Dai Mubai's physical condition becomes sufficient to bear a 9,000-year soul ring. 138
• He also attempts to position himself as Tang Si's teacher despite Tang Si having attended only one of his public lessons and openly denying any master-disciple relationship. 88 89

Relationships

• Tang San — Disciple; Tang San reveres Yu Xiaogang as a father and repeatedly defends his theories and intentions. Yu Xiaogang regards Tang San as his chief success and evidence for his cultivation philosophy. 12 19 34
• Bibi Dong — Supporter and former close associate; she publicly defends his knowledge, interprets his strategy for Tang San, and remains strongly biased in his favor. Her attempts to credit Tang San's achievements to Yu Xiaogang eventually lead to Golden Crocodile Douluo forcing her to acknowledge that Yu Xiaogang was not responsible for Tang San's growth. 3 19 24 109
• Liu Erlong — Devoted partner and staunchest defender; she supports him despite public accusations and can use a martial soul fusion skill with him. Yu Xiaogang relies on her devotion when attempting to acquire an immortal herb from Tang Si. 15 23 27 133 136
• Flander — Friend and defender; he supports Yu Xiaogang's intentions toward Tang San and his scholarly reputation. He later mediates between Yu Xiaogang and Tang Si to prevent either from leaving Shrek Academy. 8 12 89 135
• Yu Tianheng — Nephew and admirer; he calls Yu Xiaogang his guiding light and defends him in public disputes. 7 19
• Yu Yuanzhen — Father; initially supports him, later proposes his restoration to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and appointment as Young Clan Leader. 19 35
• Tang Si — A would-be disciple whom Yu Xiaogang repeatedly attempts to recruit. Tang Si rejects him, disputes his theories, exposes Luo Sanpao's potential, and later threatens to kill him if he continues provoking him. 9 15 23 89 135
• Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun — Shrek students whom Yu Xiaogang later teaches and trains. 138
• Dugu Bo — Prominent critic who presses Yu Xiaogang to explain his twin-martial-soul deduction and Luo Sanpao's bloodline. 21 23
• Hu Liena — Initially joins Bibi Dong in defending Yu Xiaogang's supposed contributions, but later condemns his treatment of Tang San. 51 110

Story Role / Major Arcs

Sky Screen speculation

When the Sky Screen first appears, Yu Xiaogang tries to explain why Tang Si resembles Tang San, attributing the overlap to coincidence and twins. His vague explanation costs him face, while Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong defend his intellect. 3 7

As the Sky Screen continues exposing information that undermines his claims, Yu Xiaogang comes to regard it as an elaborate scam or trap directed at himself and Tang San. He maintains that an unknown force is attempting to derail Tang San's destined rise to godhood. 28 65 138

Attempt to recruit Tang Si

After seeing Tang Si's innate full soul power, Yu Xiaogang concludes that he possesses twin martial souls and repeatedly offers to become his master. Tang Si refuses, mocks him, and dismisses his assessment of Blue Silver Grass. 8 9 20

Yu Xiaogang later continues presenting himself as Tang Si's teacher after returning to Shrek Academy. Tang Si rejects the claim, states that he attended only one of Yu Xiaogang's lessons, and threatens to withdraw from Shrek if compelled to recognize him as his master. 88 89 120

The Blue Silver Emperor controversy

When the Sky Screen raises the possibility that Tang San's first martial soul is the Blue Silver Emperor, Yu Xiaogang initially loses composure. He then claims that he had known the truth from the beginning and concealed it to protect Tang San from arrogance and outside attention. 12

His explanation is undermined when observers ask why a Blue Silver Emperor with innate full soul power would require the inference of a second martial soul. He cannot provide a clear basis for his original deduction. 21

Defense of Tang San's cultivation path

With Bibi Dong's assistance, Yu Xiaogang frames Tang San's poison-attribute rings and control-type development as a deliberate plan to build combat experience. He publicly declares that his goal is peerless strength at the same rank, regaining widespread acclaim. 19

Tang Si subsequently argues that Yu Xiaogang's choices restricted Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor and that his claimed contributions to Tang San's eventual godhood are unsupported. 17 63 64

Despite these objections, Yu Xiaogang treats the prediction of Tang San's ascension as proof that his guidance succeeded. He later extends this expectation to the Shrek Seven Monsters and declares that Tang San's future godhood will secure him a place in the Divine Realm. 34 108

Luo Sanpao's exposure

Tang Si challenges Yu Xiaogang over Luo Sanpao, revealing that the martial soul is a Golden Holy Dragon hatchling rather than inherently useless. Yu Xiaogang becomes defensive as Dugu Bo and Spirit Hall consecrators demand an explanation for the Golden Holy Dragon's origin. 22 23

Hunting Soul Forest incident

During Tang Si's first soul-ring hunt, Yu Xiaogang tries to force Tang Si to accept a ten-year soul ring and become his disciple. After Tang Si refuses and leaves to seek a better ring, Yu Xiaogang pursues him and throws him toward a pack of Netherworld Wolves. 30 89

Luo Sanpao subsequently kills a ten-year Netherworld Wolf with a fart, prompting Tang Si to reconsider immediately retaliating against Yu Xiaogang. 31

Clan restoration and elevation

The prediction of Tang San's future godhood causes the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan elders to reassess Yu Xiaogang's value. The clan restores him and makes him Young Clan Leader, although later discussion shows elders continuing to question the decision. 35 47 48

Pursuit of immortal herbs

After learning of the potential of immortal herbs, Yu Xiaogang asks Liu Erlong to obtain one from Tang Si in order to overcome his martial soul's limitations. 132 133

When Tang Si demands an equivalent exchange, Yu Xiaogang offers Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls, prompting Tang Si's disbelief and a violent confrontation. Liu Erlong shields Yu Xiaogang from Tang Si's Blue Silver Emperor vine, while Flander and Zhao Wuji intervene to stop the conflict. 135

Yu Xiaogang later appeals to Liu Erlong's affection and insecurity, leading her to agree to seek the herb even after he implies that she should trade her body for it. 136

Later Shrek instruction

Yu Xiaogang remains at Shrek Academy and begins instructing Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun. He continues to defend Tang San's future and maintains that the Sky Screen's damaging depictions are fabricated attacks against him and his disciple. 138

Trivia

• Yu Xiaogang's stated level is 29, reached after beginning with half a level of innate soul power. 22
• He has no “concept of power,” according to the title associated with his appointment as Young Clan Leader. 47
• His attempts to comment on the Sky Screen are sometimes limited by depleted soul power. 7 16
• Tang Si calls him “Flathead Uncle” and compares his unsolicited offer of mentorship to human trafficking. 9