Niu Gao

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Niu Gao (牛皋)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Defense Clan; later pledged the clan to Dai Mubai and the Star Luo Empire 37
Occupation/Role	Clan Leader of the Defense Clan
Martial Soul	Plated Giant Rhinoceros, described as the continent's foremost defensive Martial Soul 37
First Appearance	Chapter 35

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Level 82 Soul Douluo	35	Confronted Su Xiong when Dai Mubai's party entered the Defense Clan; the two were evenly matched in cultivation. 35
Level 84 Soul Douluo	73	Consumed the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd, gained the Power of the Earth, and rose two levels. 69 73
Titled Douluo	233	Eventually broke through alongside Yang Wudi. 233

Background / History

Niu Gao led the Defense Clan, one of the clans formerly associated with the Clear Sky Sect. The clan held deep resentment toward the sect and Tang Hao after being abandoned during the sect's crisis; Niu Gao also mourned members of his clan who had been killed by Spirit Hall. 35 37

When Dai Mubai visited the Defense Clan seeking the Breaking Clan and Yang Wudi, Niu Gao initially treated the visitors with caution. He directly confronted Su Xiong, as both were Level 82 Soul Douluos, and only withdrew after his son Niu Ben explained Dai Mubai's purpose. 35

Dai Mubai revealed himself as a Star Luo prince and used both his exceptional cultivation and a promised path toward Titled Douluo to recruit him. Niu Gao hesitated because joining would involve the Defense Clan in the prince succession struggle, but ultimately pledged both himself and his clan to Dai Mubai. 36 37

After joining Dai Mubai, the Defense Clan was able to operate openly in the Star Luo Empire and received land in the imperial capital. Niu Gao became one of Dai Mubai's trusted senior subordinates, accompanying expeditions for immortal herbs and soul hunting. 58 69 109

Personality

Niu Gao is cautious and clan-oriented. He initially suspects Dai Mubai's party because their strength and interest in Yang Wudi could endanger the Defense Clan, and he reacts immediately when his son and clansmen are attacked. 35 38

He is also blunt, excitable, and competitive. He frequently trades insults with Yang Wudi, questions matters he does not understand, and takes great pride in gaining the strength to chase a Titled Douluo across the battlefield. 68 71 75

Despite his earlier distrust, Niu Gao is deeply loyal once committed. He refuses Tai Tan's later attempt to rally the former single-attribute clans back to Tang San and the Clear Sky Sect. 180

Abilities & Skills

Plated Giant Rhinoceros

Niu Gao's Martial Soul specializes in overwhelming endurance and defense.

• His defense remained unshaken by attacks that could severely injure a Soul Saint. 39
• The Longxing City Lord was unable to damage him and instead focused on keeping him occupied. 39
• Dugu Bo's Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Break failed to leave even a minor injury on him. 74
• His Plated Giant Rhinoceros True Body was heavily damaged by a Ninety-Thousand-Year Thousand Ton Ant Emperor, demonstrating that sufficiently powerful opponents can still threaten his defenses. 110

Power of the Earth

After consuming the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd, Niu Gao mastered the Power of the Earth, further strengthening his defensive specialty. 69 73

• Enhances his defense and grants control over earth-based forces. 73
• He appears immune to earth-element attacks; he easily dispelled the earth-like force of Dugu Bo's Medusa's Gaze. 75
• Within roughly ten meters, the dense Power of the Earth can severely impede an opponent's movement. 75
• He can multiply gravity around an opponent, preventing Dugu Bo from taking flight. 74

Ground Manipulation

Niu Gao can use his earth affinity for battlefield control and detection.

• Can trigger earthquakes, though Dai Mubai stopped him from using one against the Thousand Ton Ant Emperors because it could drive them deeper underground. 110 111
• Can sense the movements of enemies beneath the ground. 110
• Hardened a large area of ground, including the soil beneath its surface, to prevent the Thousand Ton Ant Emperors from burrowing away. 112
• Raised an earth mound to block an attack from a Thousand Ton Ant Emperor. 110

Relationships

• Niu Ben — His son and the Defense Clan's Young Clan Leader. Niu Gao is fiercely protective of him, immediately attacking General Divine Eagle after Niu Ben was badly injured. 35 38
• Dai Mubai — His liege after Niu Gao pledged the Defense Clan to him. Dai Mubai provided the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd and the opportunity that elevated Niu Gao's cultivation. 37 69 73
• Yang Wudi — Old friend and fellow former Clear Sky Sect affiliate. They regularly bicker, but fight together effectively and share loyalty to Dai Mubai. 37 68 75
• Su Xiong — Initially confronted him as an equal Level 82 Soul Douluo; later served alongside him in Dai Mubai's forces. 35 73
• Tai Tan — Former associate from the single-attribute clans. Niu Gao rejected Tai Tan's request to pledge allegiance to Tang San. 59 180
• Dugu Bo — Faced him during Dai Mubai's wager. Niu Gao's defense, earth affinity, and gravity manipulation made him a major obstacle to the Poison Douluo. 74 75 76

Story Role / Major Arcs

Defense Clan Recruitment

Niu Gao first appears as the guarded leader of the Defense Clan. After learning Dai Mubai's identity, talent, and hostility toward Tang Hao, he agrees to bring the Defense Clan under Dai Mubai's banner and assists in recruiting Yang Wudi. 35 36 37

Longxing City Conflict

When General Divine Eagle's forces attack and injure Niu Ben and other Defense Clan members, Niu Gao retaliates immediately. He later withstands the Longxing City Lord's attacks while Dai Mubai's allies fight the White Tiger Legion and Dai Weisi's other forces. 38 39

Immortal Herb Expedition and Dugu Bo's Defeat

Niu Gao joins Dai Mubai's expedition to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. He receives the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd, reaches Level 84, and gains the Power of the Earth. His strengthened defense and control abilities help pressure Dugu Bo into defeat and submission to the Star Luo Empire. 69 73 74 75 76

Star Dou Forest Soul Hunt

During the hunt for the Thousand Ton Ant Emperors, Niu Gao serves as the party's defensive anchor. He blocks direct attacks, proposes countermeasures against the burrowing soul beasts, tracks them underground, and hardens the battlefield to restrict their escape. 110 112

Service to the Star Luo Empire

Niu Gao continues supporting Dai Mubai after the latter becomes Crown Prince and later rejects any return to Tang San's cause. He receives Six Trials during Mount Targon's divine examination, motivating him to compete with his peers. He eventually advances to Titled Douluo. 180 224 233

Trivia

• Niu Gao's Earth Dragon Golden Gourd was stated to be capable of becoming a powerful Ferocious Beast after ten thousand years, though it was still only an immortal herb when he consumed it. 69
• He was so exhilarated by his new abilities that he celebrated while chasing Dugu Bo: “Mom, did you see that? I'm chasing a Titled Douluo around!” 75
• Yang Wudi repeatedly mocks him for relying on defense, including calling him someone who hides in his shell like a turtle. 114