Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang spent decades studying Martial Soul theory, including records of supposedly inferior Martial Souls and their possible cultivation paths. He also consulted records held by Spirit Hall. Qian Daoliu dismisses his scholarly reputation, accusing him of presenting Spirit Hall’s collected research—material already intended for public release—as his own work 1 2 6.

He previously traveled the continent with Flender and belonged to the Golden Iron Triangle alongside Flender and Liu Erlong. Although he left home, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan never expelled him or severed its ties with him. Flender considers that continuing recognition an important deterrent against anyone seeking to harm him 26.

At the beginning of the Heavenly Screen broadcast, Yu Xiaogang is at Nuoding Academy and has just brought Tang San there. His recognition of Tang San’s Twin Martial Souls, together with the public praise surrounding his first screen comment, helps persuade Tang San to formally become his disciple 1.

Personality

Yu Xiaogang places great importance on his authority as a theorist. He enjoys the praise his Heavenly Screen comments initially receive and treats Yun Ming’s criticism as a challenge to his expertise. When Yun Ming does not immediately answer one of his replies, he assumes he has won the argument 1 2.

His dissatisfaction with his own talent fuels jealousy toward more gifted Soul Masters. Watching Lin Yi cultivate with Innate Full Soul Power makes him bitter about his own level-one innate Soul Power. Flender describes his tendency to belittle successful people as a longstanding habit, recalling similar remarks during their earlier travels 3 26.

He is reluctant to revise his judgments publicly. After learning that Chess Martial Soul users resent his comments, he insists his assessment was justified and dismisses their objections. The narration later clarifies that his distinction between ordinary Chess Martial Souls and those with additional attributes was a defense developed after his original blanket condemnation 32 43.

Under direct danger, he tends toward hesitation and avoidance. When Tang San becomes a target of widespread hostility, Yu Xiaogang considers abandoning the journey rather than sharing that risk. He ultimately stays after recognizing the danger posed by Tang Hao’s presence, without realizing that Tang San has already noticed his hesitation and begun to resent him 39 40.

Abilities & Skills

Martial Soul Theory

Yu Xiaogang possesses extensive theoretical knowledge, but the Heavenly Screen repeatedly exposes the limits of his understanding 1 4 6.

• Martial Soul assessment: Recognizes Tang San’s Twin Martial Souls before Tang San formally accepts him as his teacher 1.
• Soul Beast identification: Identifies a Space-Escaping Rat over three hundred years old, describing its Spatial Blink and spatially empowered claws. He also identifies the age of the seven-thousand-year Soul Beast shown during Lin Yi’s Third Soul Ring absorption 3 4.
• Cultivation planning: Claims he can find suitable development paths even for Martial Souls commonly regarded as inferior. He emphasizes Soul Ring compatibility and promises to select Tang San’s first ring personally 2 3.
• Research collection: Owns an extensive collection of books. Tang San values these sources as a way to acquire foundational knowledge independently of Yu Xiaogang’s interpretations 17 32.
• Knowledge gaps: Does not know that absorbing a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring causes Soul Shock, and cannot understand Lin Yi’s Soul Core condensation or identify the manifestation associated with his Martial Soul’s Second Awakening 4 6.

Golden Iron Triangle Martial Soul Fusion

Yu Xiaogang can participate in a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Flender and Liu Erlong 26.

• Flender believes their reunited formation could contend with a Soul Douluo 26.
• Tang Hao regards this combined strength as sufficient protection for Tang San and insists that the three reunite 30 40.
• The supplied passages show preparations for a reunion, not a completed reunion or use of the skill 26 30 40.

Personal Cultivation

• Remains a two-ring Soul Grandmaster despite being over fifty 4.
• Has never absorbed a thousand-year Soul Ring, a limitation publicly exposed during the dispute over Lin Yi’s million-year ring 16.
• His limited practical experience leads Tang San to question whether his theories remain applicable to higher-age Soul Rings 17.

Relationships

• Tang San — Disciple. Initially seeks Yu Xiaogang’s understanding of the world’s cultivation system and later places particular value on his books. Their relationship deteriorates when Tang San interprets his hesitation to flee together as betrayal 1 17 32 39 40.
• Tang Hao — Tang San’s father and an uneasy protector. Considers Yu Xiaogang unreliable but retains him as Tang San’s teacher because of his clan connections and membership in the Golden Iron Triangle 30 32 40.
• Flender — Longstanding friend and fellow Golden Iron Triangle member. Explains Yu Xiaogang’s behavior to Lu Qibin, warns him about the hostility his comments have created, and invites him to come under his protection 26.
• Liu Erlong — Fellow Golden Iron Triangle member and Martial Soul Fusion partner. Yu Xiaogang does not know her whereabouts when Tang Hao proposes reuniting the group 26 30.
• Lin Yi — Frequent target of his Heavenly Screen criticism. Yu Xiaogang disparages his Martial Soul, Soul Ring choices, and prospects for godhood, while Lin Yi is initially baffled by hostility from someone he has never offended 1 2 3 22.
• Yun Ming — Cross-era opponent in the screen’s comment section. Initially assumes Yu Xiaogang is an impostor, then realizes he may have been insulting the historical Grandmaster himself 2 33.
• Lu Qibin — A Star Luo Chess Soul Master angered by Yu Xiaogang’s condemnation of Chess Martial Souls. Demands an explanation from Flender 26.
• Bibi Dong — Yu Xiaogang knows she possesses Twin Martial Souls, but is uncertain of her current cultivation rank. He identifies her as a possible competitor for the opportunity to obtain another Martial Soul through Tian Meng 46.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Initial Broadcast and Debate

• Yu Xiaogang’s first comment declares Lin Yi’s Chess Martial Soul useless for attack, defense, control, or support. It receives over ninety-nine likes and widespread praise, reinforcing his confidence in his reputation 1.
• Yun Ming rebukes him using the maxim, “There are no trash Martial Souls, only trash Soul Masters.” Tang San notices that Yu Xiaogang’s condemnation contradicts a principle he has already repeated to him 1 2.
• Yu Xiaogang replies, “Do you know trash better, or do I?” He intends to assert his research credentials, but the wording instead invites ridicule 2.

Lin Yi’s Cultivation Overturns His Expectations

• He attributes Lin Yi’s solo defeat of a Space-Escaping Rat to luck and condemns its Soul Ring as incompatible with a Chess Martial Soul 3.
• Lin Yi’s higher-age early rings challenge his assumed cultivation limits. Under pressure to explain, he proposes a “snowball effect,” only for Yun Ming to expose his ignorance of Soul Shock 4.
• Lin Yi’s hundred-thousand-year Sixth Soul Ring and Soul Core leave him unable to provide an explanation. Nevertheless, he resumes criticizing Lin Yi when the battle against the Evil Emperor appears unsuccessful 6 13.
• He calls Tian Meng’s white-gold ring the weakest kind of million-year Soul Ring. The ensuing backlash exposes his lack of even a thousand-year ring, and Lin Yi’s later golden million-year ring brings further public mockery 16 18.
• When Lin Yi reaches level ninety-nine without receiving a deity’s recognition, Yu Xiaogang again claims this proves something is wrong with his Martial Soul 22.

Backlash and Plans to Reunite the Golden Iron Triangle

• His dismissive remarks about Lin Yi’s interest in a young smith provoke criticism from blacksmiths and future-era forgers 24.
• After learning Ji Juechen has level-three innate Soul Power, he privately predicts a limited future for him. This time, he withholds his comment, deciding that time will vindicate his judgment 25.
• Flender’s warning letter reaches him as Tang Hao pushes for faster training and stronger protection for Tang San. Yu Xiaogang proposes Shrek Academy, but cannot answer Tang Hao’s objection that it lacks a Mimicry Cultivation Environment 26 30 32.

Flight from Nuoding City

• Yu Xiaogang prepares to leave for Suotuo City with Tang Hao and Tang San. Revelations about Tang San’s future actions turn the latter into a public enemy before their departure 38 39.
• His visible hesitation prompts Tang San to consider killing him. Tang Hao intervenes, citing both the consequences of murdering a teacher and Yu Xiaogang’s usefulness as a connection to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Golden Iron Triangle 39 40.
• Unaware of how close the relationship has come to violence, Yu Xiaogang agrees that they must leave immediately. The three depart Nuoding Academy together 40.

Further Challenges to His Judgments

• While traveling, he witnesses Lin Yi’s Seal the Game and Return to Play, a divine skill directly connected to chess. Its existence undermines his revised defense that only Chess Martial Souls with additional attributes possess worthwhile abilities 43.
• When Tang Hao and Tang San become excited about obtaining a third Martial Soul through Tian Meng, Yu Xiaogang warns that Bibi Dong may be capable of pursuing the same opportunity much sooner 46.

Notable Quotes

“When it comes to theory, you dare challenge my authority?” 2

“This time, I won’t predict what Ji Juechen will achieve in the future. Time will prove everything.” 25