Biodata
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚) |
| Alias(es) | Gangzi; Master Yu |
| Gender | Male |
| Affiliation | Notting Academy; Shrek Academy; Blue Tyrant Academy; formerly of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Golden Iron Triangle 20 29 45 |
| Occupation/Role | Martial-soul theorist; Tang San's former master and Shrek/Blue Tyrant Academy instructor/strategist 3 20 26 45 |
| Rank | Rank 29 Soul Master 34 |
| Status | Alive; abandoned by his disciple, rejected by his former lovers, captured and imprisoned in Spirit Hall's dungeon by Bibi Dong 68 88 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 3 |
Background / History
Yu Xiaogang encounters Tang San and Yun Tian during their enrollment at Notting Academy. After examining Tang San's Spirit Hall certificate, he deduces that Tang San possesses twin martial souls and accepts him as his first disciple. He sees Tang San as the ideal subject through whom he can validate his theories and prove himself. He also attempts to bring Yun Tian under his tutelage through Tang San, but Yun Tian rejects him as a “fake master.” 3 4
Yun Tian secretly deletes Yu Xiaogang's Amorous tag shortly after their meeting, severing two emotional connections linked to Spirit City and Heaven Dou City. Yu Xiaogang feels that he has lost something, but does not identify the cause. 3
While accompanying Tang San on his first soul-ring hunt, Yu Xiaogang repeatedly clashes with Headmaster Yuan Hua over ring selection. He recommends a ten-year Solitary Bamboo for Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, despite Yuan Hua's objections that such a ring is far too weak for a genius with innate full soul power. The hunt instead exposes Yu Xiaogang and Tang San to Mandala Snake venom; both require treatment. 7 9 10 11
Tang Hao later reveals himself as Tang San's father and entrusts Tang San's future to Yu Xiaogang. Yu Xiaogang promises to guide Tang San fully, while privately recognizing Tang Hao as his idol. 12 13
After Tang San leaves Notting Academy, Yu Xiaogang takes him to Shrek Academy, founded by his old friend Flender. He presents himself as a member of the Golden Iron Triangle and vows to teach Tang San everything he has learned. 20
At Shrek, he oversees the Seven Devils' physical training and develops their strategy for the match against the Imperial Battle Team. The plan relies on Tang San's command, realgar wine to counter Dugu Yan's poison, and an attack on Ye Lingling; however, Yu Xiaogang withholds the full threat posed by Yun Tian from the team. Shrek is defeated almost immediately. 23 26 28
Following Tang Hao's failed attack on Yun Tian, Yu Xiaogang takes Yu Tianheng away from the scene. He later assumes Yun Tian has been killed, only to face Chen Xin at Shrek Academy. Chen Xin's pressure leaves him terrified, and a subsequent strike severely injures both him and Yu Tianheng. 33 34 35
Later, after Shrek Academy merges into Blue Tyrant Academy under Liu Erlong, Yu Xiaogang attempts to rely on Liu Erlong, but she completely rejects him due to her clear-headed realization of his flaws 45 47. During the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament, Tang Hao officially strips Yu Xiaogang of his master-disciple relationship with Tang San, forbids him from participating in team decisions, and threatens his life if he interferes 68. Tang San later attempts to kill Yu Xiaogang after Yu Xiaogang insults Tang Hao, breaking all remaining ties 76. Abandoned by his disciple, rejected by Liu Erlong, and ignored by his peers, Yu Xiaogang goes missing during an ambush en route to Spirit City and is imprisoned in Spirit Hall's dungeon by Bibi Dong, who mocks his failures and threatens to kill Tang San 84 85 88.
Appearance
Yu Xiaogang is a black-clad man with a buzz cut, rigid facial muscles, and a consistently stern, stiff expression. During his time at Notting Academy, he wears a black academic robe and carries a yellowed book beneath his arm. 3
- Buzz-cut hairstyle.
- Stiff, zombie-like facial muscles. 3
- Black academic robe. 3
- Often carries books, theory notes, and research materials. 3 20
Personality
Yu Xiaogang is intensely driven to prove the worth of his martial-soul theories. Tang San's twin martial souls make him especially valuable to Yu Xiaogang, who views the boy as the disciple through whom he can validate years of research. His delight at gaining Tang San and his continued attempts to recruit Yun Tian reveal both ambition and a need for recognition. 3 15
He is proud and sensitive to disrespect, reacting angrily when Yun Tian calls him a fake master or when others question his theories. He frequently maintains a lofty, authoritative demeanor, especially when presenting tactical plans or speaking of his Ten Core Competencies. 4 7 27
Despite his flaws, Yu Xiaogang is protective of Tang San and remains committed to teaching him. That protectiveness can become indulgence: he initially denies accusations against Tang San and avoids condemning him after learning the accusation is true. 4 12 19 20 As his relationships collapse—with Tang San severing ties and Liu Erlong casting him aside—his underlying selfishness, cowardice, and arrogance become fully exposed to those around him 47 68.
Abilities & Skills
Martial-Soul Theory and Analysis
Yu Xiaogang presents himself as an expert in martial-soul theory and uses his research to identify potential traits, ring combinations, and tactical roles.
- Deduced Tang San's second martial soul from his Blue Silver Grass and innate full soul power. 3
- Developed and promotes the Ten Core Competencies of Spirit Masters as his central body of theory. 3 34
- Identified the Sky-Piercing Spear's pressure-based characteristic after observing Yun Tian over time. 15
- His deductions are not consistently reliable; he fails to account for important conditions behind twin martial souls and recommends an exceptionally weak first ring for Tang San. 10 13
Training and Battlefield Strategy
At Shrek Academy, Yu Xiaogang directs physical training and acts as the team's strategist.
- Forces the Shrek students to conduct endurance training while carrying baskets of stones. 23
- Assigns Tang San as battlefield commander against the Imperial Battle Team. 26
- Plans to counter Dugu Yan's poison with realgar wine and Ma Hongjun's flames. 26
- Orders Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing to target Ye Lingling, the opposing support-type soul master. 26
- Does not disclose Yun Tian's full danger to the team, believing that knowledge of him would undermine their morale. 26
Equipment / Items
- Pope's Decree — entrusted to him by Tang Hao after Tang Hao leaves Tang San in his care. 12 13
- Storage soul tool — used to keep the Pope's Decree. 13
- Theory books and research notes — his principal belongings when departing Notting Academy. 20
Relationships
- Tang San — His former first disciple. Yu Xiaogang sees Tang San's twin martial souls as the means to prove his theories and brings him to Shrek Academy, but Tang San eventually severs ties under Tang Hao's orders and later attempts to kill Yu Xiaogang 3 12 20 68 76.
- Yun Tian — A gifted student Yu Xiaogang unsuccessfully tries to recruit. Their relationship is hostile after Yun Tian rejects him and repeatedly disregards his advice 3 4 7 15.
- Tang Hao — Yu Xiaogang's idol and Tang San's father. Tang Hao entrusts Tang San to Yu Xiaogang initially, but later humiliates him, strips him of his master status, and forbids him from participating in tournament decisions 10 12 68.
- Flender — Old friend, fellow member of the Golden Iron Triangle, and founder of Shrek Academy. Flender maintains faith in Yu Xiaogang for a long time despite the chaos he brings 20 23 27.
- Liu Erlong — Former romantic partner and cousin. Once deeply devoted to him, Liu Erlong completely cuts ties and berates him after losing the Amorous tag, seeing through his flaws 45 47 63.
- Bibi Dong — Former lover and current Pope of Spirit Hall. After being abandoned by everyone else, Yu Xiaogang is captured and imprisoned in her dungeon, where she mocks his failures and threatens Tang San 88.
- Yuan Hua — Headmaster of Notting Academy and a frequent critic of Yu Xiaogang's soul-ring advice and conduct 7 10 19 20.
- Yu Tianheng — His nephew, who eventually distances himself from Yu Xiaogang 29 33 76.
- Chen Xin — An adversary who confronts Yu Xiaogang at Shrek Academy and severely injures him 34 35.
Notable Quotes
“There are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters.” 7
“In the time ahead, I will teach you everything I have learned in my life!” 20
Trivia
- Yun Tian's inspection identifies Yu Xiaogang with the blue-grade tag Borrowing from Everywhere, stating that most of his knowledge originates from other sources rather than his own research. 3
- The deletion of his Amorous tag snaps two previously visible emotional connections: a purple thread toward Spirit City and a red thread toward Heaven Dou City. 3
- Yu Xiaogang is described as over fifty while remaining at Rank 29. 34