Grandmaster

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Grandmaster; Master
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Formerly Spirit Hall; Nuoding Academy; Shrek Academy; Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan elder 20 369 809
Occupation/Role	Martial Soul theorist, researcher, and mentor to Tang San
Soul Power	Rank 29 Soul Grandmaster before being crippled; he had already abandoned hopes of breaking through rank 30 809 830
Status	Alive in his last documented appearance 898
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Background / History

Spirit Hall and the Ten Core Competitiveness Theory

As a young man, Yu Xiaogang worked at Spirit Hall despite poor cultivation talent that seemed to limit him to becoming a low-ranking deacon. After gaining Bibi Dong's favor, he used her authority to access Spirit Hall's research records and compiled the Ten Core Competitiveness Theory of Martial Souls from its accumulated data. 20

During an early encounter with Bibi Dong, Ao Tian influenced Yu Xiaogang into declaring that he had approached her to obtain Spirit Hall information and that his theory would make him “the greatest mentor in human history.” Bibi Dong was devastated by the confession. 3 4

Nuoding Academy

By the time Tang San enrolled at Nuoding Academy, Yu Xiaogang had become a weathered, despondent middle-aged man known as the Grandmaster. He stopped the academy gatekeeper from attacking Tang San and discovered that both Tang San and Ao Tian possessed Innate Full Soul Power. 19 20

His analysis of Tang San's Blue Silver Grass and Innate Full Soul Power led him to deduce Tang San's Twin Martial Souls. Tang San accepted him as his teacher after hearing the reasoning. 21 22 Yu Xiaogang also repeatedly attempted to recruit Ao Tian, but Ao Tian refused to reveal his Martial Soul or become his disciple. 19 21 120

Ao Tian's revelation that he was a seven-year-old Soul Grandmaster with two purple Soul Rings directly contradicted Yu Xiaogang's established theory, leaving him disheartened and questioning his life's work. 125 126

Shrek Academy

Yu Xiaogang later joined Shrek Academy, where he resumed his role as Tang San's mentor and advised Flender on Martial Soul issues, including Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire mutation. 369 370 373

He envisioned Tang San and the other talented Shrek students becoming Titled Douluo under his guidance, believing their achievements would validate his theories and establish him as the foremost mentor in the Soul Master world. 396

He also sought access to Ao Tian's Soul Tool knowledge, arguing that such techniques should be made public for the benefit of Soul Masters. 373 374

Conflicts with Dugu Bo and Spirit Hall

Yu Xiaogang attempted to cultivate alliances with powerful factions, including the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, while using his knowledge to formulate plans against threats such as the Dragon Horse and Dugu Bo. 480 494

During the Soul Master Tournament, he arranged for Flender to inform Ju Douluo of Dugu Bo's presence, intending to use Spirit Hall's old grudge against Dugu Bo to eliminate him and weaken Ao Tian. The scheme backfired when Dugu Bo joined Spirit Hall and confronted Yu Xiaogang directly. 693 694 719

Dugu Bo severely injured Yu Xiaogang, who stood before his students despite the overwhelming disparity in strength. Ju Douluo stopped Dugu Bo from killing him to avoid damaging Spirit Hall's reputation during the tournament. 719 720

Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan

After Shrek's tournament achievements raised his reputation, Yu Xiaogang became an elder of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. 809 At the clan, he was publicly defeated by the five-year-old Dugu Qiubai, whose Golden Sacred Dragon Martial Soul and three purple Soul Rings deeply shocked him. 821 822

Viewing Dugu Qiubai's talent and Spirit Hall connection as a future obstacle to destroying Spirit Hall, Yu Xiaogang privately urged Yu Yuanzhen to eliminate the child. 821 822 Gu Yuena exposed the plan and compelled Yu Xiaogang to confess his true motive before the clan and Shrek members, destroying the trust of Yu Tianheng and damaging Yu Xiaogang's standing. 825 826

Afterward, Gu Yuena crippled Yu Xiaogang, leaving him unable to cultivate and reducing him to an ordinary person. 830

Later Breakdown

Ao Tian later altered the memories of Shrek Academy's inhabitants so that they believed Flender and Liu Erlong had always been lovers. Seeing Liu Erlong with Flender caused Yu Xiaogang to suffer a public emotional breakdown driven by jealousy and his fixation on Liu Erlong. 883

He remained dependent on Tang San and the Shrek group in later conflicts. During his final documented confrontation with Bibi Dong, he was severely injured and faced Bibi Dong's God King-level power. 897 898

Appearance

Yu Xiaogang had an ordinary appearance even in youth: a crew cut, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a straight posture that contrasted with the inferiority visible in his gaze. 3 4

• By his time at Nuoding Academy, he had short hair and a more weathered face. 19 20
• He carried an air of laziness and despondency. 19
• His Martial Soul, Luo San Pao, resembles a dog with a pig-like body. 821 822

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is intensely proud of his Martial Soul knowledge and longs for recognition as the continent's greatest theorist and mentor. His confidence in the Ten Core Competitiveness Theory is central to his identity, making contradictions to it especially devastating. 21 125 126

He is devoted to Tang San's growth, frequently taking pride in his disciple's talent, protecting him from stronger opponents, and seeking rare knowledge to guide his Twin Martial Soul cultivation. 663 717 841

His desire for recognition and revenge can override his judgment. He manipulates allies and enemies through calculated plans, seeks to exploit Ao Tian's knowledge, and eventually considers murdering Dugu Qiubai to prevent a future threat to his goals. 373 693 694 821 825

Yu Xiaogang is also emotionally volatile when his dignity, reputation, or feelings for Liu Erlong are challenged. Public mockery, widespread slander, and Liu Erlong's apparent relationship with Flender each drive him into rage, despair, or breakdown. 705 793 883

Abilities & Skills

Martial Soul Theory and Analysis

Yu Xiaogang has spent decades researching Martial Souls and bases his conclusions on extensive Spirit Hall records and personal study. 20 21

• Deduced Tang San's Twin Martial Souls from the incompatibility between Innate Full Soul Power and an ordinary Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul. 21 22
• Identified the Man Faced Demon Spider and offered extensive knowledge on Soul Beasts and Soul Master cultivation. 273 373
• Recognized Ning Rongrong's evolved Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. 710
• His theories have significant limitations; Ao Tian's purple Soul Rings and extraordinary advancement forced him to acknowledge possible flaws. 125 126

Luo San Pao

Yu Xiaogang's Martial Soul is Luo San Pao, a failed mutation that had originally been moving toward the Golden Sacred Dragon. 821 822

• Possessed two yellow Soul Rings and rank 29 Soul Power. 590 821
• His Soul Skill causes Luo San Pao to expel a thunderous blast of thick yellow fog with concussive force and an extremely foul smell. 821 822
• Luo San Pao is mentally linked to Yu Xiaogang; damage to it also injures him. 822
• Yu Xiaogang was unable to overcome Dugu Qiubai even after summoning Luo San Pao. 821 822

Golden Sacred Dragon Fusion

Together with Flender and Liu Erlong, Yu Xiaogang can perform the Iron Triangle's Martial Soul Fusion Skill, transforming Luo San Pao into the Golden Giant Dragon, also called the Sacred Dragon. 590

• The fusion combines all sixteen Soul Rings of the three participants. 590
• The Sacred Dragon can use golden lightning and a Golden Mist Bomb. 590
• Its attacks broke Dugu Bo's poisonous gas barrier, though the group could not defeat him. 592
• Yu Xiaogang considers the fusion insufficient to overcome a Titled Douluo for more than a short time. 585 586

Mentorship and Strategy

Yu Xiaogang serves as Tang San's teacher and as a planner for Shrek Academy. 21 22 369

• Recruited Tang San by identifying the risks posed by improperly cultivating Twin Martial Souls. 21 22
• Evaluated Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire condition and proposed reducing its excess energy through cultivation rather than indulging it. 373 374
• Formulated indirect plans, including attempting to turn Ju Douluo against Dugu Bo. 693 694
• His strategic judgment is compromised by incomplete information, particularly concerning Ao Tian's power and Dugu Bo's allegiance. 715 716 719

Relationships

• Tang San — His disciple and greatest source of pride; Yu Xiaogang personally guides Tang San's cultivation and repeatedly seeks means to strengthen his Twin Martial Souls. 21 22 663
• Bibi Dong — Former Spirit Hall associate whose authority gave him access to research records; Yu Xiaogang later seeks to oppose her and Spirit Hall. 20 396
• Ao Tian — A prodigy Yu Xiaogang repeatedly tries to recruit and study; Ao Tian's existence undermines his theories and rejects his authority. 19 125 126
• Flender — Longtime ally and one member of the Iron Triangle; they combine their Martial Souls with Liu Erlong to summon the Sacred Dragon. 369 590
• Liu Erlong — Fellow Iron Triangle member and the focus of Yu Xiaogang's unrequited obsession, which contributes to his later breakdown. 590 883
• Dugu Bo — Enemy whom Yu Xiaogang tries to eliminate through Spirit Hall; Dugu Bo later severely injures him. 693 719
• Yu Yuanzhen — His father and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Sect Master; Yu Xiaogang privately asks him to assassinate Dugu Qiubai. 821 825
• Yu Tianheng — His nephew; Yu Tianheng loses faith in Yu Xiaogang after Gu Yuena exposes the plot against Dugu Qiubai. 825 826
• Dugu Qiubai — A child prodigy who defeats Yu Xiaogang and becomes the target of his attempted assassination plan. 821 822
• Gu Yuena — Exposes Yu Xiaogang's plan, forces his confession, and later cripples him. 825 826 830

Notable Quotes

“On Douluo Continent, when it comes to understanding Martial Souls, if I claim second place, no one would dare claim first.” 21

“Because his talent is far too monstrous. In the future, he will definitely become Spirit Hall's strongest expert, and also the strongest expert on Douluo Continent. If that happens, I won't be able to eliminate Spirit Hall. So, he must die!” 825

Trivia

• Yu Xiaogang describes himself as a lodger who merely freeloads on food and lodging at Nuoding Academy. 21
• Despite receiving Tang San's cultivation method, he could not break through rank 30 and eventually gave up cultivating. 809