Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Master
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy
Occupation/Role	Soul master theorist; mentor to Tang San
Martial Soul	Luo Sanpao, a mutated Beast Martial Soul
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 4

Background

Yu Xiaogang became interested in Chu Lan after witnessing Tiger Soul act independently and speak. Upon learning that Chu Lan possessed Innate Full Soul Power, he decided that cultivating him into a Titled Douluo could prove that he was not worthless. Chu Lan rejected his offers of guidance as empty promises, forcing Yu Xiaogang to offer practical assistance instead 4.

He supplied Chu Lan with bedding, secured a private dormitory through his connection to the academy headmaster, and arranged a trip to the Soul Hunting Forest. His persistence was driven less by altruism than by his desire to make Chu Lan his disciple and validate his own theories and reputation 5 6.

During the hunt, Yu Xiaogang demonstrated extensive knowledge of soul beasts and Soul Ring selection, but his weak combat ability repeatedly undermined him. He could not handle a 422-year Mandala Snake, and fled when Chu Lan confronted the Blood Demon Tiger alone. This abandonment permanently destroyed Chu Lan’s willingness to acknowledge him as a master 7 8 10.

Afterward, Tang San sought Yu Xiaogang’s help on Chu Lan’s recommendation. Yu Xiaogang became Tang San’s teacher and cautiously led him to obtain a ten-year Lone Bamboo Soul Ring, prioritizing safety after his experience with the Blood Demon Tiger 10 11.

Yu Xiaogang remained uncomfortable around Chu Lan and later began planning to have him leave Nuoding Academy early after Chu Lan reached the graduation standard 11 12.

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is highly knowledgeable, ambitious, and insecure about his own limitations. He seeks talented disciples partly to prove his value to the wider soul master world, making him unusually persistent and willing to tolerate Chu Lan’s mockery and demands 4 5.

His theoretical confidence contrasts with his fear in dangerous situations. Although he wants to present himself as a capable mentor, encounters with powerful soul beasts leave him cautious and reluctant to take risks 7 8 10.

Abilities & Skills

Soul Beast Theory

Yu Xiaogang possesses substantial practical knowledge of soul beasts, their cultivation ages, Soul Ring compatibility, and hunting precautions.

• Identified the Mandala Snake as a 422-year soul beast and recommended it as a possible first Soul Ring 7.
• Recognized the Blood Demon Tiger as a soul beast more than 450 years old and the dominant creature of the Soul Hunting Forest 8.
• Guided Tang San through killing and absorbing the Soul Ring of a ten-year Lone Bamboo 10.
• His expertise remained useful to Chu Lan for identifying soul beast species and cultivation age, despite Chu Lan’s contempt for his combat ability 7.

Luo Sanpao

Yu Xiaogang’s mutated Beast Martial Soul, Luo Sanpao, manifests as a pale-purple creature with a bloated body, stubby legs, drooping ears, dark-blue eyes, and a pig-like snout 7.

• Luo Sanpao is timid around Tiger Soul and fled to Yu Xiaogang for safety when Tiger Soul was summoned 7.
• It is described as lacking offensive ability 7.
• Yu Xiaogang’s mutation left him with only half a level of Innate Soul Power and reportedly unable to surpass level 29 7 9.

Equipment / Items

• Storage Soul Tool — Used to carry bedding and a pillow for Chu Lan 5.
• Short knife — Given to Tang San to kill the Lone Bamboo for his first Soul Ring 10.

Relationships

• Chu Lan — Initially viewed Chu Lan as the disciple who could restore his reputation. He provided resources and led the first Soul Ring hunt, but abandoned Chu Lan against the Blood Demon Tiger; Chu Lan thereafter treated him with open contempt 4 5 8 10.
• Tang San — His disciple. Yu Xiaogang guided Tang San’s first Soul Ring hunt and continued advising him on the development of Blue Silver Grass and the Clear Sky Hammer 10 11.
• Luo Sanpao — His mutated Martial Soul and companion; its weakness is a source of embarrassment and insecurity for him 7.
• Director Su — An academy official who recognizes Yu Xiaogang as “Master,” though he does not know of Yu Xiaogang’s plan to recruit Chu Lan 4.
• Tang Hao — Tang Hao relied on Old Jack rather than Yu Xiaogang to arrange Tang San’s academy admission; Yu Xiaogang later became Tang San’s mentor at the academy 3 10.
• Xue Qinghe — Chu Lan later suggests that Xue Qinghe capture and interrogate Yu Xiaogang to learn about Bibi Dong’s past 45.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Attempt to Recruit Chu Lan

Yu Xiaogang discovers Tiger Soul at Nuoding Academy and becomes determined to recruit its Innate Full Soul Power wielder. His gifts, housing arrangements, and promise to obtain a Soul Ring fail to earn Chu Lan’s respect 4 5 6.

Soul Hunting Forest Failure

He accompanies Chu Lan into the Soul Hunting Forest, provides theoretical advice, and attempts to demonstrate his usefulness. His inability to fight and decision to flee from the Blood Demon Tiger instead reveal the gulf between his knowledge and practical courage 7 8.

Tang San’s Master

After losing Chu Lan’s trust, Yu Xiaogang accepts Tang San as a disciple. He chooses an extremely safe ten-year Lone Bamboo Soul Ring for Tang San, whose resulting first skill turns Blue Silver Grass into a bamboo staff 10 11.

Conflict with Chu Lan

Yu Xiaogang avoids Chu Lan after the forest incident and grows increasingly resentful of his presence at Nuoding Academy. By the end of Chu Lan’s first semester, he considers using Chu Lan’s Soul Master status to push him out through early graduation 11 12.