Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Appearance

Yu Xiaogang initially has a short crew cut, a square face, and a full beard. Following his humiliation at Nuoding Academy, he becomes visibly dispirited and unkempt 5 17.

• Clothing: Arrives at Shrek in filthy, shabby robes; years later, wears a robe washed until its color has faded 25 36.
• Characteristic posture: Holds his hands behind his back, straightens his spine, and raises his chin when presenting himself as an authority 17 25 36.
• Disheveled condition: His appearance after the journey to Shrek leads Li Yusong to mistake him for a beggar 25.

Personality

Yu Xiaogang places enormous importance on recognition as a theoretical Grandmaster. He insists that combat strength does not determine theoretical authority, but reacts angrily when others question his achievements or mention his rank. When Tang Tianlin challenges the originality of his research, he demands a duel and an apology 5 6.

His pursuit of Tang San combines persistence with a desire to vindicate himself. Even after being rejected and publicly humiliated, he waits nearly half a month for another opportunity. His private thoughts reveal that he sees Tang San’s success as a way to escape being regarded as useless 17.

He is highly selective about prospective disciples. At Shrek, he measures Dai Mubai against Tang Tianlin, discounts Oscar’s lack of combat ability, and rejects other candidates because of perceived limitations, political risks, or the effort required to train them. Ma Hongjun’s earlier insult also influences his decision 36 37.

Despite his pride, he remains conscious of stronger opponents. After experiencing Tang Tianlin’s power, he restrains his anger around him; when Li Yusong reveals six Soul Rings, he immediately tries to plead for mercy 17 26.

Abilities & Skills

Martial Soul: Luo Sanpao

Luo Sanpao manifests as a round, bluish-purple creature resembling a pig, with four short legs. It retains sub-dragon blood despite being a detrimental mutation of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon 18 26.

• Independent movement: Responds to Yu Xiaogang’s commands and attempts to bite through Tang San’s bindings 19.
• Fear of Tang Tianlin: Collapses unconscious during their first confrontation and hides behind Yu Xiaogang when summoned near him again 6 18.
• Limited demonstrated offense: Cannot bite through Tang San’s enhanced Blue Silver Grass 19.
• Missed development potential: The narration states that neither of Yu Xiaogang’s first two Soul Rings strengthened his Golden Sacred Dragon bloodline, preventing a potentially more promising development path 7.

Martial Soul Theory

Yu Xiaogang is known for proposing the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul. His research covers Martial Soul characteristics, Soul Ring combinations, and evolutionary paths, although the story repeatedly exposes weaknesses in his conclusions and methods 6 18 36.

Combat Limitations

• Rank twenty-nine: Has attached only two Soul Rings despite being over fifty 5 6.
• Vulnerable while distracted: Tang San’s unexpected rank and Soul Ring age leave him stunned during their duel 18 19.
• Unable to escape enhanced bindings: Tang San’s Blue Silver Grass restrains him while draining his Soul Power 19.
• Outmatched by stronger Soul Masters: Cannot resist Tang Tianlin’s pressure or Li Yusong’s staff attacks 6 26.

Equipment / Items

• Research notebook: A yellowed notebook containing decades of research, including the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul. He stakes it on his duel with Tang San and loses the wager 18 19.
• Storage Soul Tool belt: A silvery-white belt with twenty-four cubic meters of storage space. Tang Tianlin takes it after Tang San’s victory 18 19.
• Savings: Keeps more than a decade’s savings inside the belt and includes them in the wager. His rank entitles him to a monthly Spirit Hall allowance of ten Gold Soul Coins 18.

Relationships

• Tang San — Prospective disciple who repeatedly refuses him. Yu Xiaogang views Tang San’s exceptional talent as a chance to prove his worth, but ultimately loses to him in a duel 5 17 18 19.
• Tang Tianlin — Principal opponent at Nuoding Academy. Protects Tang San from his recruitment attempts, challenges his theories, and takes his wagered possessions. Nevertheless, he heals Yu Xiaogang after the duel 5 6 17 19.
• Flender — Old friend who invites him to Shrek Academy, intervenes after Li Yusong’s beating, and publicly champions his theoretical reputation 25 26 36.
• Li Yusong — Shrek’s gatekeeper, whom Yu Xiaogang insults after being mistaken for a beggar. Li Yusong severely beats him before Flender resolves the confrontation 25 26.
• Shrek students — Placed under his cultivation guidance by Flender. Their skepticism and his refusal to accept them as disciples create immediate friction 36 37.

Background / History

Failed Recruitment at Nuoding Academy

Yu Xiaogang approaches Tang San and announces his deduction that the boy possesses Twin Martial Souls, expecting this revelation to secure a disciple. Tang Tianlin has already warned Tang San about such an approach, so Tang San refuses to engage and states that he does not need a master 5.

After Yu Xiaogang calls Blue Silver Grass a trash Martial Soul, Tang Tianlin slaps him. The confrontation shifts to the credibility of his theories, with Tang Tianlin questioning both his research methods and his reliance on others’ work. Yu Xiaogang challenges him to Soul Fighting, only for Luo Sanpao to collapse and for Yu Xiaogang himself to be forced to his knees by overwhelming pressure 5 6.

Wager and Defeat

When Tang San returns to the academy, Yu Xiaogang renews his recruitment attempt. His recommendation to add toxins to Blue Silver Grass backfires when Tang Tianlin exposes its conflict with the Martial Soul’s life attribute 17 18.

Tang Tianlin then offers a condition: if Yu Xiaogang defeats Tang San, he will persuade Tang San to become his disciple. Confident that a rank-twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster cannot lose to a newly enrolled child, Yu Xiaogang stakes his notebook, storage belt, and savings 18.

Tang San restrains him with enhanced Blue Silver Grass, drains his Soul Power, and beats him with a stick until he surrenders. After losing his possessions, Yu Xiaogang coughs blood and faints. Tang Tianlin heals him, believing that his death could provoke a dangerous reaction from Spirit Hall’s Supreme Pontiff 19.

Arrival at Shrek Academy

Penniless after the wager, Yu Xiaogang walks to Shrek Academy in response to Flender’s letter. Although disappointed by its dilapidated condition, he assumes the academy needs his expertise 25.

Li Yusong mistakes him for a beggar at the gate. Yu Xiaogang responds with insults and summons Luo Sanpao, only to discover that the gatekeeper is a Soul Emperor. Li Yusong beats him severely before Flender intervenes, identifies him as an invited guest, and stabilizes his injuries 25 26.

Cultivation Instructor and Disciple Selection

After five years at Shrek, Yu Xiaogang is introduced as the person responsible for the students’ cultivation. Ma Hongjun openly questions this appointment, describing him as someone who has spent those years freeloading. Flender defends him and punishes three students with doubled training and canceled meal allowances 36.

Invited to choose a disciple, Yu Xiaogang finds none satisfactory. Dai Mubai falls short of the standard established by Tang Tianlin; Oscar lacks direct combat ability; Zhu Zhuqing’s Martial Soul has, in his judgment, too low a ceiling. He also considers the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s established training system and the risks of taking Ning Rongrong, while Ma Hongjun’s evil fire presents both practical and reputational problems. He elects to continue observing 36 37.

Notable Quotes

“There are no trash Martial Souls, only trash Soul Masters.” 5

“Although my Soul Power is only rank twenty-nine, when it comes to theory, if I claim second place, no one dares claim first.” 5