Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	“Master” / “Grandmaster”; Gangzi; “Rose” (used by the Rose Boy Band) 18 22 33
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Former teacher at Notting Academy; Shrek Academy; former member of the Golden Triangle 18 39 69
Occupation/Role	Martial Soul theorist; teacher; Tang San’s master
Cultivation	Rank 29; unable to break through to Soul Ancestor despite being over forty 18 84
Status	Alive; residing at Shrek Academy as of his reunion with Liu Erlong 69 84
First Appearance	Chapter 18

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang was born with the Exogenous Beast Martial Soul Luo Sanpao and only half-rank innate Soul Power. His weak cultivation and failure to advance beyond Rank 29 became a lasting source of insecurity. He pursued recognition through Martial Soul theory, publishing the Ten Core Theories and adopting the title “Master.” 18 19 84

Outside ordinary circles, his reputation is poor. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s leaders describe the Ten Core Theories as badly compiled, partially copied from Spirit Hall records, and riddled with mistakes; even Tang San later recognizes that Xiaogang’s knowledge has serious limits. 22 39

He worked at Notting Academy, where he cultivated an aloof public image despite being ridiculed by teachers and tavern patrons for his low rank, Spirit Hall subsidy, and repeated drunken boasts. 18 19

Appearance

Yu Xiaogang is a thin, crew-cut man whose physical condition deteriorates noticeably after repeated captivity and abuse by the Rose Boy Band. He is later described as gaunt, exhausted, and visibly tense. 18 21 69

• Distinctive crew-cut hairstyle 18
• Often wears gray-white robes 21
• Has a slender frame and a poison-darkened complexion while injured 21
• Appears severely haggard after fleeing Notting City 69

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is proud, defensive, and deeply dependent on recognition as a theoretician. He loudly presents the Ten Core Theories as unrivaled and interprets Tang San’s talent as proof of his own genius, even when others openly dismiss him. 19 46

His arrogance conceals profound insecurity over his weak Martial Soul and stalled cultivation. Comparisons with successful Soul Masters—such as Qin Ming becoming a Spirit King in his twenties—leave him openly envious and ashamed. 84

After the Rose Boy Band repeatedly abducts and coerces him, Yu becomes fearful, secretive, and traumatized. He hides his condition behind claims of academic research while continuing to cling to his scholarly persona. 32 69

Abilities & Skills

Luo Sanpao

Yu Xiaogang possesses Luo Sanpao, an Exogenous Beast Martial Soul. Its condition is directly linked to his own body: serious harm dealt to Luo Sanpao is transmitted back to Yu Xiaogang. 19

• Yu can summon Luo Sanpao during danger, though he is quickly restrained when confronted by stronger opponents. 19
• Luo Sanpao displays intense fear of the Rose Boy Band after being abused alongside its master. 33
• Yu calls its attack “Heaven-Splitting Luo Sanpao,” but is unable to use it before being subdued. 19

Martial Soul Theory

Yu Xiaogang presents himself as a leading Martial Soul scholar and bases much of his identity on the Ten Core Theories. 19 69

• He teaches Tang San that there are “no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters.” 22 69
• His advice is frequently questioned by more knowledgeable characters; his proposal that Ma Hongjun use an ice-attributed Spirit Ring to resolve his Evil Fire Phoenix problem is met with silent disbelief. 70 71
• Major Soul Master factions regard his theories as inaccurate and derivative rather than original research. 39

Relationships

• Tang San — His disciple. Yu sees Tang San as the student who will validate his theories and bring him renown; Tang San outwardly respects him while privately recognizing his flaws and retaining him for his political connections. 22 34 69
• Flender — Former Golden Triangle companion and headmaster of Shrek Academy. Flender welcomes Yu after his flight from Notting City and tactfully protects his dignity when his advice fails. 39 69 71
• Liu Erlong — Former Golden Triangle companion and old love. Their reunion at Blue Tyrant Academy is brief, tense, and emotionally unresolved. 39 84
• Bibi Dong — A former romantic connection whose lingering feelings for Yu are considered politically useful by Tang San. 19 22 33
• Rose Boy Band — Repeated abductors and tormentors. Their actions leave both Yu and Luo Sanpao traumatized, while Yu repeatedly vows revenge against them. 19 33 49
• Luo Sanpao — His linked Martial Soul; injuries to it harm Yu directly, making its safety a major vulnerability. 19

Story Role / Major Arcs

Notting Academy and Tang San

Yu Xiaogang is first observed at Notting Academy, where Beiming Lieyang identifies him as the self-important version of the “Master” he sought to investigate. Yu maintains a superior façade while other teachers privately mock his Rank 29 cultivation and reputation. 18

Following an initial kidnapping by the Rose Boy Band, he is discovered badly injured near the Soul Hunting Forest by the reborn Tang San. Tang San suppresses his poison and resumes the master-disciple relationship, while Yu takes credit for Tang San’s successful Spirit Ring absorption. 21 22

The Rose Boy Band Incidents

Yu’s humiliation becomes a recurring hidden crisis. The Rose Boy Band blackmails him into returning to them; Tang San follows him, discovers the coercion, and attempts to eliminate the group before being overpowered himself. 32 33

Tang Hao ultimately rescues Tang San and Yu, but both master and disciple conceal the incident afterward. Yu mistakes Tang San’s performed concern for genuine devotion, while Tang San privately considers killing him but preserves the relationship for strategic reasons. 34

Yu is abducted again after drunkenly celebrating Tang San’s growing reputation. He is held captive for three days and branded with a heart-shaped mark before eventually escaping Notting City. 46 49 69

Arrival at Shrek Academy

Yu brings Tang San to Shrek Academy, seeking Flender’s protection and presenting Tang San as a prodigy with Innate Full Soul Power, Blue Silver Grass, and Rank 15 Soul Power. 69

At Shrek, his questionable expertise is exposed again when he proposes using an ice-attributed Spirit Ring to balance Ma Hongjun’s Evil Fire Phoenix. Flender diplomatically ends the discussion rather than directly challenging him. 70 71

Flender later brings the group to Blue Tyrant Academy under the pretext of visiting Qin Ming, intending instead to force Yu Xiaogang to reunite with Liu Erlong. 84

Notable Quotes

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

“My theories will sooner or later place you at the pinnacle of this continent!” 22

“Among all the heroes under heaven, there is only I, Yu Xiaogang!” 46

Trivia

• Yu’s public title as “Master” is treated as credible mainly among ordinary people; major factions consider him a laughingstock. 39
• Tang San continues calling him “Gangzi,” even after recognizing the serious flaws in his theories. 22 32
• His inability to advance past Rank 29 remains central to his resentment and his fixation on achieving fame through Tang San. 18 84