Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yu Xiaogang (玉小刚)
Alias(es)	Master; Mu Gang
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan (formerly); Shrek Academy; Star Luo Empire army
Occupation/Role	Soul Master theorist; teacher; Shrek Academy team leader
Status	Alive; physically crippled and reliant on a wheelchair
First Appearance	10

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Soul Power level 25	378	Reached at age eighteen through diligent cultivation and clan resources despite low Innate Soul Power.
Peak level 29	436	Remained unable to break through to level 30 for two years, preventing acquisition of a third Soul Ring and full martial-soul awakening.
Planned level 30 breakthrough	389	The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan planned to cultivate him to level 30 and have him absorb a Light-attribute Soul Ring to compensate for his origin deficiency.

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang was born into the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan as Yu Yuanzhen's son. His martial soul was regarded as a degraded mutation, and his low cultivation caused him to be dismissed within the clan as Yu Yuanzhen's “waste son.” 335 377

At eighteen, he entered Spirit Hall Academy as an exchange student on his father's behalf. Believing Bibi Dong had disregarded him because of his low cultivation, he resolved to establish his worth through theory rather than strength. He spent months in the library, intending to create a novel Soul Master theory, gain Bibi Dong's favor, and access Spirit Hall's sealed records for a solution to his martial soul defect. 377 378 380

Zhu Wu revealed that Xiaogang's martial soul was a benign mutation with Sacred attributes rather than a malignant one. Its incomplete awakening stemmed from innate deficiency and a body unable to bear his mutated bloodline; Light- or Fire-attribute spirit rings and yang-natured supplements could strengthen it, though with risks. 118 380

His attempt to impress Bibi Dong with his completed “ten core competitive theories” failed when she exposed gaps in his classifications of Body, Food, and Twin Martial Souls. He left Spirit Hall Academy in disgrace and was severely injured when Ghost Douluo overturned his carriage on Qian Xunji's order. Unable to receive full treatment, Xiaogang killed his driver in anger before returning to his clan. 386 387 388

After the clan later recognized the potential of his Sacred-attribute martial soul, it resolved to support his advancement to level 30. Xiaogang nevertheless neglected cultivation while pursuing shortcuts and assistance from Zhu Wu. Zhu Wu publicly rejected him, and news of his attempt to use Bibi Dong to obtain Spirit Hall knowledge ruined his reputation in Wuhun City. 389 402 403

Unable to endure the disgrace, he left under the name “Mu Gang” and met Flender. He later formed connections with Flender and Liu Erlong. 403 Liu Erlong eventually confessed her love to him, but Xiaogang fled without answering due to insecurity over his disability and self-worth. 436

Appearance

At eighteen, Yu Xiaogang had black hair parted in the middle and extending past his ears, gentle features, and firm eyes. Though not especially handsome, he gave an initially warm and approachable impression. 374

• Later became paralyzed and castrated, leaving him dependent on a wheelchair. 172 320
• Sustained severe lower-body injuries in Ghost Douluo's attack. 387 388
• Was expelled from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan after his crippling and subsequent actions. 172 498

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is intensely sensitive about his low cultivation and reputation. Perceived disrespect—particularly from Bibi Dong—quickly wounds his pride and reinforces his obsession with proving that he is not useless. 377 378

He values theoretical knowledge as the means to gain status and influence, but often overestimates his understanding. His confidence in his theories, tactical judgments, and ability to shape talented disciples repeatedly exceeds his practical knowledge or results. 386 457 469

His devotion to Tang San is possessive as well as paternal. He calls Tang San his son and claims Tang San will prove his worth to the world, yet Tang San later comes to resent Xiaogang's guidance. 153 158 320

• Proud and status-conscious; frequently reacts badly to being dismissed or mocked. 377 387
• Calculating in pursuit of personal goals, including attempting to leverage Bibi Dong for access to sealed records. 380
• Impulsive and vengeful under pressure; killed his driver after his carriage accident. 388
• Avoids direct hardship and responsibility, including fleeing after Liu Erlong's confession and later departing Martial Soul City in secret. 228 336 436
• Remains arrogant despite physical decline, expecting Tang San to honor him after Tang San becomes a god. 319 320

Abilities & Skills

Soul Master Theory

Yu Xiaogang is widely invested in martial-soul research and competitive theory, though his expertise is uneven.

• Correctly inferred that Zhu Wu's silkworm martial soul likely had mental and illusion-related abilities from its awakening characteristics. 10
• Explained Martial Soul Hall's broad institutional advantages and its role as a gathering place for soul masters. 17
• Authored a book centered on “ten core competitive theories.” 386
• Failed Bibi Dong's questions on categorizing Body and Food Martial Souls and lacked knowledge concerning Twin Martial Soul cultivation. 386 387
• Did not recognize the Yin Huang Dragon or Nine Heart SeaTang martial souls. 469

Team Leadership and Training

He served as Shrek Academy's team leader and directed its tournament preparation.

• Finalized Shrek's lineup for the Soul Master Competition and sought external assistance to advance Tang San. 152
• Used high-intensity physical training and medicinal baths to push team members toward breakthroughs. 152 192
• His excessive training was linked to severe injuries and lost fertility among Shrek members. 162 227
• Reported Long Ying Tian's use of Imprinted skills to the tournament committee alongside Flender. 162
• His leadership was contrasted unfavorably with Long Ying Tian's coaching, with Shrek students showing less combat intelligence and growth under Xiaogang. 194

Guidance of Tang San

Tang San was Xiaogang's principal disciple and the focus of his ambition.

• Advised Tang San on evolving his martial soul and later proposed a poison-focused development route using a Mandala Snake Soul Ring. 11 457
• Led Tang San to hunt a 400-year-old Mandala Snake, where Tang San gained the first Soul Skill, Exploding Poison Fangs. 457
• Overestimated the Mandala Snake's effectiveness and failed to account for the loss of Tang San's original Light attribute and the limited usefulness of the paralysis effect against peers. 457
• Sought Bibi Dong's knowledge on cultivating Twin Martial Souls in hopes of making Tang San a powerhouse. 153 154
• Treated Tang San's success as proof that his own theories and teaching were valid. 133 211

Relationships

• Tang San — Disciple whom Xiaogang regarded as his own son and as the future proof of his worth; Tang San later blamed him for past misfortunes and rejected his claim to be called “Xiao San.” 153 158 320
• Bibi Dong — Former object of Xiaogang's ambitions at Spirit Hall Academy; he sought to impress and use her for access to sealed knowledge, while she saw through his intentions. 377 380 387
• Liu Erlong — Loyal companion and later lover; she protected and transported him after his crippling, while Xiaogang fled from her confession and later dismissed her fears about Tang San. 228 320 436
• Flender — Longstanding associate who housed him at Shrek Academy and worked with him on team matters and tournament complaints. 115 162
• Yu Yuanzhen — Father and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan leader; attempted to secure help for Xiaogang's martial soul and supported his cultivation plan. 389 402
• Yu Luomian — Clan elder who delivered Xiaogang's expulsion and warned him not to bring further trouble to the clan. 172
• Zhu Wu / Long Ying Tian — Identified the true nature of Xiaogang's martial soul, rejected his request for aid, and exposed his motives; Xiaogang later blamed and opposed him. 380 402 319
• Yu Tianheng — Nephew from whom Xiaogang gathered intelligence on Heaven Dou Royal Academy and to whom he presented himself as Shrek's leader and Tang San's teacher. 132 473

Story Role / Major Arcs

Notting Academy and Tang San's Apprenticeship

Yu Xiaogang received Tang San and Zhu Wu at Notting Academy, recognized unusual qualities in their martial souls, and became Tang San's teacher. He later advised Tang San to absorb a Mandala Snake Soul Ring, resulting in Tang San's poisonous chrysanthemum mutation. 10 11 457

Shrek Academy Team Leader

He joined Shrek Academy as Tang San's teacher and led the Shrek team through training and the Soul Master Competition. He pursued information, resources, and outside assistance to make Tang San and the team strong enough to contend for the championship. 115 152 473

Crippling, Expulsion, and Flight

Xiaogang's training methods contributed to the sterilization of Shrek contestants. He was paralyzed and castrated, expelled from his clan, and blamed by students and other academies. Liu Erlong removed him from Martial Soul City in secret for his protection. 172 227 228 231

Star Luo Defection and Tang San's Rejection

He and Liu Erlong joined the Star Luo Empire's forces seeking revenge against Spirit Hall and Heaven Dou. Xiaogang expected deified Tang San to acknowledge him proudly, but Tang San instead treated him with disdain and held him responsible for his suffering. 319 320

Earlier Timeline: Spirit Hall Academy

In the later-presented earlier timeline, Xiaogang attended Spirit Hall Academy, sought Bibi Dong's favor through theory, suffered public intellectual humiliation, and was maimed on his departure from Wuhun City. His clan later recognized his martial soul's potential, but his pursuit of shortcuts led to public disgrace and exile. 377 387 389 402 403

Notable Quotes

“There are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters!” 386

“One day, I'll make the world know that I, Yu Xiaogang, may be a waste, but I can teach a genius like no other.” 133

“If anything happens to Tang San, I will destroy Spirit Hall at any cost. I have no children of my own in this life—Xiao San is my son.” 153

“I, Yu Xiaogang, am not a waste!” 377

Trivia

• Xiaogang used the alias Mu Gang after leaving the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's sphere of influence. 403
• He believed Zhu Wu might wish to accept him as a disciple because of his dragon-type martial soul. 393
• His obsession with proving himself persisted even after becoming physically crippled; he expected Tang San's godhood to validate him as the one who “cultivated a god.” 320