Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Origins of His Theoretical Reputation

Bibi Dong privately brought Yu Xiaogang into Spirit Hall's library, giving him access to its accumulated Martial Soul research. She also abandoned her position as Holy Maiden for him. His subsequent reputation as a theoretical Grandmaster is attributed to the information collected by Spirit Hall 2.

Yu Xiaogang published the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul. Luo Chen accuses him of plagiarizing Spirit Hall's research and seeking disciples with Innate Full Soul Power so their natural achievements will validate his theories 3.

Recruiting Tang San and Luo Chen

At Nuoding City Junior Academy, Yu Xiaogang approaches Tang San after noticing the apparent contradiction between his Blue Silver Grass and Innate Full Soul Power. Tang San initially challenges his qualifications, but Yu Xiaogang correctly deduces that he possesses twin Martial Souls. He then warns of potentially fatal conflicts between them and claims that he may be the continent's only person capable of resolving the problem 5.

Tang San kneels and acknowledges him as his teacher before learning his name. Recognizing him as the man Luo Chen had criticized, Tang San coughs blood and faints. He nevertheless maintains the relationship because he has already performed the ceremony and considers a teacher a lifelong paternal figure 5.

At Tang San's repeated request, Yu Xiaogang also offers to accept Luo Chen as an outer disciple, demanding three public kowtows. Luo Chen instead questions his cultivation ceiling and the source of his theories. Unable to answer satisfactorily and humiliated by the surrounding students' laughter, Yu Xiaogang leaves 5.

Tang San's First Soul Ring

After overhearing Luo Chen's plans to obtain his first Soul Ring, Yu Xiaogang secures the academy headmaster's assistance for Tang San's hunt. He publicizes the arrangement, intending to demonstrate his disciple's superiority over Luo Chen 6.

Tang San follows his advice and absorbs a Mandala Snake Soul Ring despite the dean's objections. The ring grants paralytic poison to Blue Silver Grass, but the narration describes this choice as squandering the Martial Soul's talent 8 10 12.

Duel and Public Disgrace

Following Luo Chen's return, Yu Xiaogang pressures Tang San into a duel, explicitly demanding victory as proof that his theories—and Tang San's choice of teacher—are correct. Tang San reluctantly agrees 9.

Luo Chen wins decisively. When Tang San concedes, Yu Xiaogang publicly calls both him and Blue Silver Grass useless, declares that Tang San has disgraced him, and tells him not to call him Teacher 11.

Luo Chen confronts him with his own maxim, “There are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters,” and accuses him of using Tang San as an experimental subject. Yu Xiaogang denies wrongdoing. Tang San subsequently investigates alternative plant-type Soul Beasts in the library and concludes that his trust was misplaced 12.

Injury and Loss of His Disciple's Trust

The dean confronts Yu Xiaogang over the Mandala Snake decision. Yu Xiaogang shifts responsibility to the difference in the boys' Martial Soul quality, arguing that Tang San's defeat was natural. The dean becomes convinced that this behavior is unlike the Grandmaster he knew and attacks him with a knife. Yu Xiaogang escapes a potentially fatal strike but receives a deep cut from forehead to chin; Teacher Su intervenes before another attack 12.

Tang San later tells Luo Chen that he intends to sever their master–disciple relationship and take revenge. Separately, Tang Hao reports ambushing Yu Xiaogang, beating him half to death, and forcing him to reveal his method for cultivating twin Martial Souls. Tang San still insists on making Yu Xiaogang pay before leaving Nuoding City 13 14.

Appearance

• Age and build: Middle-aged, with a thin face 5.
• Hair and facial hair: Introduced with a crew cut and short beard 5.
• Clothing: A gray robe washed almost white 5.
• Mannerisms: Frequently clasps his hands behind his back and raises his chin while presenting himself as an authoritative Grandmaster 5 10.
• Later injury: Receives a deep facial wound extending from his forehead to his chin 12.

Personality

Yu Xiaogang is intensely invested in Martial Soul research. During their time together, Tang San recognizes genuine devotion bordering on obsession, even while becoming aware of his shortcomings as a teacher 9.

His concern for his reputation repeatedly overrides his treatment of others. He demands ceremonial submission from Luo Chen, uses Tang San's duel to seek public vindication, and lashes out at his disciple when that attempt fails. Even after the defeat, he privately expects Tang San to avenge his humiliation 5 9 11 12.

He resists responsibility for his advice, dismissing Luo Chen's criticism and blaming Tang San's Martial Soul for the loss. This contrasts with the dean's recollection of an upright, reasonable Grandmaster who understood his limits 12.

Abilities & Skills

Luo Sanpao

• A detrimental mutation associated with the Golden Sacred Dragon; its attacks are described as thunderous flatulence 1.
• Its damaged innate foundation leaves Yu Xiaogang unable to advance beyond rank 29 5.

Martial Soul Theory

• Published the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul, including the principle that there are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters 3 5 12.
• Correctly identifies Tang San's concealed twin Martial Souls from the discrepancy between Blue Silver Grass and Innate Full Soul Power 5.
• Coaches Tang San to use precise Entanglement attacks to deliver the Mandala Snake's paralytic toxin 10.
• His recommendation of an animal-type first Soul Ring for Blue Silver Grass becomes the central dispute undermining his authority 8 12 13.

Twin Martial Soul Cultivation Knowledge

• Warns that conflict between twin Martial Souls can cause bodily explosion and death 5.
• Claims to possess a solution; the effectiveness of that solution is not demonstrated in the provided account 5.
• Possesses a cultivation method that Tang Hao later extracts through violence 14.

Relationships

• Tang San — Disciple whose hidden twin Martial Souls he identifies. Initial respect gives way to distrust, an intention to sever ties, and a desire for revenge 5 12 13 14.
• Luo Chen — Rejected prospective outer disciple and public critic. Yu Xiaogang tries to use Tang San to defeat him and restore his own reputation 5 6 9 12.
• Bibi Dong — Gave him access to Spirit Hall's research and abandoned her Holy Maiden position for him. After his facial injury, he worries about how “Xiao Dong” will react to his appearance 2 12.
• Nuoding Academy Dean — Supports Tang San's Soul Ring hunt but opposes the Mandala Snake choice. Their dispute later escalates into the knife attack that wounds Yu Xiaogang 6 12.
• Tang Hao — Initially tolerates his instruction because of his twin Martial Soul knowledge, then ambushes him and forcibly obtains that knowledge 5 14.
• Teacher Su — Restrains the dean during the attack and directs Yu Xiaogang to seek treatment 12.

Notable Quotes

“There are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters.” 5

“You must defeat him in a Soul Master duel and prove that my theories are not wrong!” 9