Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Grandmaster; Gangzi
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Notting Academy instructor; formerly of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect
Occupation/Role	Spirit Master theorist; Tang San's teacher
First Appearance	Chapter 11

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang first approaches Tang San at Notting Academy after deducing that Tang San possesses Twin Martial Souls from his Blue Silver Grass and Innate Full Spirit Power. He presents himself as the Spirit Master world's leading theoretical authority, calling himself “Grandmaster,” but Tang San initially rejects his attempt to take him as a disciple. Yu Xiaogang continues guiding Tang San’s enrollment and intends to prove his value by helping him obtain a Spirit Ring. 11 12

After learning that Lin Chen and Xiao Wu also possess Innate Full Spirit Power, he sees the three children as an opportunity to validate his theories through future achievements. Lin Chen's level 14 cultivation at age six particularly shocks him. 12

Yu Xiaogang eventually pressures Tang San into formally accepting him as a teacher by emphasizing Tang San’s need for Spirit Beast knowledge. He gives Tang San his Storage Soul Tool belt as an initiation gift and begins planning Tang San’s cultivation route. 17

During Tang San’s first Spirit Ring hunt, Yu Xiaogang is bitten by a hundred-year Profound Yin Viper while attempting to protect Luo Sanpao. The venom causes severe pain and gradually feminizes his appearance and behavior. He nevertheless survives, while Tang San obtains the Blue Silver Pole Vault skill from a Lonely Bamboo Spirit Ring. 18 37

At Notting Academy, Yu Xiaogang begins teaching Spirit Master theory classes and promotes his Ten Core Competitiveness Principles. Lin Chen publicly challenges the practical basis of his teachings, particularly the resources behind Yu Xiaogang’s own cultivation and the origins of his Ultimate Soul Ring Theory’s figures. Yu Xiaogang becomes enraged and is further discredited before the students. 22 23 24

His reputation collapses after his association with wanted criminal Wang Dong, known as Scarface, becomes public across the continent. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect subsequently strips him of the Yu surname and removes him from its genealogy. 34 35 37 42

Spirit Hall later arrests Yu Xiaogang for harboring Wang Dong; Wang Dong is executed in front of him. Yu Xiaogang’s appeals to his father and sect status fail because he has already been disowned. Tang San attempts a rescue but is captured, and the two are imprisoned together. 41 42 43

Appearance

Following the Profound Yin Viper bite, Yu Xiaogang develops visibly feminized features and mannerisms. 37

• His skin becomes fairer and smoother, while his facial stubble disappears. 37
• His voice becomes more coquettish, and his movements are described as markedly more feminine. 37
• He previously wore noticeable facial stubble. 28

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is highly invested in being recognized as “Grandmaster.” He introduces himself through his theoretical accomplishments, claims that people have forgotten his name because of his reputation, and expects students to address him by his title. 13 22

He is ambitious and views Tang San’s unusual Twin Martial Souls as a potential route to academic fame. Even after seeing Tang San’s ordinary Forging Hammer, he focuses on the possibility of turning an apparent “good-for-nothing” into a Titled Douluo and gaining greater prestige from the accomplishment. 21

His confidence in his theories becomes defensive when challenged. He reacts angrily to Lin Chen’s questions about resources, data sources, and the broader applicability of his teachings, yet he remains determined to uphold them. 23 24

Despite his self-serving motives, Yu Xiaogang provides Tang San with detailed cultivation guidance, prepares plans for him, and attempts to protect him during their imprisonment. 17 21 43

Abilities & Skills

Martial Soul: Luo Sanpao

Yu Xiaogang’s Martial Soul is Luo Sanpao, a separate-looking but symbiotically linked entity.

• Luo Sanpao possesses a keen sense of smell and can serve as a sentry during Spirit Ring absorption. 18
• If Luo Sanpao is forcibly dispersed, Yu Xiaogang suffers severe backlash. 14
• After Luo Sanpao is injured, Yu Xiaogang is left with even less ability to fight. 15

First Soul Skill: *Fart Like Thunder, Luo Sanpao Shakes Heaven and Splits Earth*

Yu Xiaogang channels soul power through his first Spirit Ring to activate Luo Sanpao’s named skill against threats. 18

• He uses it when confronted by the Profound Yin Viper in the Soul Hunting Forest. 18
• The skill does not prevent him and Luo Sanpao from being overwhelmed by the viper. 18

Spirit Master Theory

Yu Xiaogang has studied Spirit Masters and developed the Ten Core Competitiveness Principles, including his Ultimate Soul Ring Theory. 12 16

• He correctly infers that Tang San likely has Twin Martial Souls from Blue Silver Grass paired with Innate Full Spirit Power. 11 12
• He explains that Spirit Skill formation depends on the Spirit Beast, Martial Soul quality, and compatibility between them. 18
• His practical judgment is repeatedly questioned: Tang San’s first Spirit Skill is poorly suited to Tang San’s existing movement techniques, and Tang San’s second Spirit Ring produces only a negligible poison effect. 18 44
• Lin Chen challenges the originality and calculations of the Ultimate Soul Ring Theory, alleging that its limits closely match an existing reference work. 24

Equipment / Items

• Storage Soul Tool belt — Given to Tang San as an initiation gift; allows him to carry items such as hidden weapons. 17
• Spirit Hall Elder Token — Entrusted to Yu Xiaogang by Tang Hao when Tang Hao leaves Tang San in his care. 28

Relationships

• Tang San — Disciple. Yu Xiaogang guides Tang San’s Spirit Ring hunts, cultivation plans, and attempts to build alliances for him; Tang San remains loyal even after Yu Xiaogang’s disgrace. 17 21 36
• Lin Chen — Antagonistic student and critic. Lin Chen defeats and humiliates Yu Xiaogang, then publicly dismantles his teaching claims. 14 23 24
• Xiao Wu — Lin Chen’s companion who joins Lin Chen in physically humiliating Yu Xiaogang at Notting Academy. 14
• Tang Hao — Tang San’s father, who entrusts Tang San to Yu Xiaogang and warns him not to provoke Lin Chen. 28
• Bibi Dong — Maintains a strong personal fixation on Yu Xiaogang; after learning of his association with Wang Dong, she orders his arrest and imprisonment. 3 41
• Wang Dong / Scarface — Wanted criminal associated with Yu Xiaogang. Their public conduct sparks Yu Xiaogang’s scandal; Wang Dong is executed during Yu Xiaogang’s arrest. 30 35 42
• Yu Yuanzhen — Yu Xiaogang’s father and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect’s sect master. The sect later removes Yu Xiaogang’s surname and expels him from its genealogy. 37 42

Notable Quotes

“There are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Spirit Masters.” 22

“As an academic researcher, it is perfectly normal for me to face doubts.” 23