Yu Xiaogang

Biodata

Background / History

Yu Xiaogang once traveled the continent as a member of the Golden Iron Triangle. He and Flender remained close friends even after the group went their separate ways 35.

He also had an ambiguous romantic history with Bibi Dong during her time in Spirit City. He eventually left the city in dejection; the circumstances of their separation are not detailed 94.

Nearly twenty years before his reunion with Liu Erlong, Yu Xiaogang intended to marry her. Their wedding was interrupted by his second uncle, Yu Luomian, who revealed that Liu Erlong was his daughter—and therefore Yu Xiaogang’s younger cousin. Unable to face the relationship or the resulting public condemnation, Yu Xiaogang fled the wedding and stayed away for almost twenty years 118.

He subsequently withdrew to Nuoding City, became a theory teacher, and devoted himself to Martial Soul research. His work earned him the title Grandmaster, despite his own limited cultivation 94 118.

Appearance

• Build: Thin and lean, with a taut jawline and sharp eyes 115 134.
• Clothing: Usually wears gray robes; when he arrives at Shrek, his cloth robe is washed nearly white 8 35.
• Facial hair: Has a beard, which he strokes while supervising Tang San’s Soul Ring absorption 12.
• Later appearance: Looks more haggard upon reaching Shrek than he did during his earlier years at Nuoding 35.

Personality

Yu Xiaogang takes immense pride in his scholarship and reacts badly when his authority is challenged. He initially considers accepting a village child as his disciple an obvious honor, then dismisses Lin Chen’s objections as arrogance and heresy. Repeated public contradictions turn his wounded pride into lasting resentment 5 6 15.

As an instructor, he is disciplined, demanding, and attentive to individual weaknesses. His initial Shrek regimen pushes students to their physical limits without damaging their foundations, while later plans directly address failures exposed in combat. He is especially protective of Tang San, guarding both his cultivation and his concealed family background 36 52 134.

His handling of Liu Erlong contrasts with his classroom authority. He avoids her for nearly twenty years and remains unable to overcome the revelation that they are cousins. After their reunion, he briefly interprets her professional support as lingering affection, only to recognize her strictly businesslike attitude 118 120.

Abilities & Skills

Martial Soul Theory

Yu Xiaogang’s Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul are widely regarded as a foundational authority on cultivation. His lectures cover Martial Soul classification, Soul Ring ages, and Soul Power circulation, and he can explain difficult concepts clearly enough to captivate ordinary beginners 8.

• Develops cultivation plans based on a student’s Martial Soul characteristics and shortcomings 36 119.
• Studies specialized subjects, including Ultimate Martial Souls and the risks associated with Twin Martial Souls 8 36.
• Teaches methods that improve the toughness of Tang San’s Blue Silver Grass 36.
• Remains a respected theorist despite his own low cultivation 94.

Challenged Theories

Soul Ring Selection and Hunting Guidance

Yu Xiaogang prioritizes compatibility between a Martial Soul and its Soul Rings. He scouts hunting areas, identifies suitable beasts, explains their vulnerabilities, and supervises absorption 10 12 73.

• Warns beginners against venturing into the depths of the Soul Hunting Forest 10.
• Identifies the Mandala Snake’s fangs, tail stinger, and vulnerable seven-inch point 12.
• Advises Tang San to target the Man Faced Demon Spider’s main eyes 73.
• Offers to seek a younger spider if Tang San cannot withstand the two-thousand-year specimen 73.

Physical Conditioning and Tactical Instruction

His training combines physical endurance, Martial Soul control, practical combat, and theoretical study. After Shrek’s defeat in Star Dou, he redesigns the program around formation disruption, support protection, and responses to spatial abilities 36 52 53.

• Requires Tang San to bind twenty randomly moving targets within ten breaths 52.
• Uses Zhao Wuji’s Soul Power pressure to train Ning Rongrong to maintain uninterrupted amplification 52 53.
• Later introduces separate training modules, formation maneuvers, attack–defense coordination, and Soul Power endurance work at the reorganized Shrek Academy 118.

Cultivation Limitations

• His cultivation remains at level twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster, having stagnated for years 117 134.
• Conceals himself among the students when Blue Tyrant Academy announces a minimum Soul King requirement for teaching applicants 117.
• Recognizes that he cannot defeat Lin Chen when challenged to a direct spar 134.

Relationships

• Tang San — Disciple and principal teaching success. Yu Xiaogang guides his cultivation, selects suitable Soul Rings, recommends Shrek Academy, and later joins Shrek to supervise him personally. He keeps Tang San’s identity as Tang Hao’s son confidential because of the danger from Spirit Hall 12 17 36 73.
• Flender — Longtime friend and former Golden Iron Triangle companion. Flender welcomes him to Shrek and grants him extensive teaching authority and access to academy resources 35 36.
• Liu Erlong — Younger cousin, former intended bride, and later colleague. Their wedding collapsed after their kinship was revealed. Upon reuniting, she entrusts him with theory research and team training but maintains a strictly professional relationship 118 120.
• Lin Chen — Rejected prospective disciple and persistent critic. Lin Chen repeatedly disproves his theoretical limits and defeats his students, becoming a focus of Yu Xiaogang’s resentment 5 14 46 134.
• Xiao Wu — Rejects his offer of discipleship in favor of learning from Lin Chen. She later openly opposes his treatment of Lin Chen 6 134.
• Zhao Wuji — Shrek colleague who accompanies the students on Soul Ring hunts, attempts to lift their morale after defeat, and assists with pressure training 36 52 53.
• Tai Long — Student who accuses him of favoring the original Shrek Seven Devils in training and team selection. Tang San defends Yu Xiaogang’s methods, while Liu Erlong reinforces his authority 118 119 120.
• Bibi Dong — Former romantic entanglement from his time in Spirit City 94.
• Yu Luomian — Second uncle and Liu Erlong’s father; reveals the cousins’ relationship during their wedding 118.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Nuoding Academy

Yu Xiaogang first approaches Lin Chen after hearing about his Chaos Pearl Martial Soul from Su Yuntao. He offers to become the child’s teacher, but Lin Chen refuses and challenges three flaws in his research. An attempt to recruit Xiao Wu the following day also fails 5 6.

Their disagreement continues in class, where Lin Chen disputes absolute Soul Ring age limits and explains Ultimate Attributes. Lin Chen’s subsequent acquisition of a Thousand-Year First Soul Ring supplies public evidence against Yu Xiaogang’s position, causing students to question his lectures 8 14 15.

Tang San’s defeat by Lin Chen in an academy tournament further damages Yu Xiaogang’s prestige. Nevertheless, he continues guiding Tang San and, after graduation, recommends that he attend Shrek Academy in Suotuo City 16 17.

Joining Shrek Academy

Yu Xiaogang travels to Shrek primarily out of concern for Tang San’s development and the dangers of Twin Martial Souls. With Flender’s approval, he becomes the new students’ dedicated theory and tactics instructor and establishes a systematic training program 35 36.

He also intends to use Tang San’s success to vindicate his theories and make Lin Chen regret refusing him 36.

Star Dou Defeat and Devil Training

During a dispute over a Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, Yu Xiaogang encounters Lin Chen again. Lin Chen publicly attacks his teaching, then reveals a Ten Thousand Year Third Soul Ring. The display forces Yu Xiaogang to confront how far Lin Chen has exceeded his theoretical framework 44 45 46.

After Heaven Dou defeats Shrek, Yu Xiaogang checks that Tang San is not seriously injured and reluctantly acknowledges Lin Chen’s performance. Back at the academy, he identifies Shrek’s rigid tactics and lack of experience against special Martial Souls, then intensifies training 50 52 53.

When Tang San later reaches level thirty, Yu Xiaogang helps him obtain his Third Soul Ring. He then announces that the students will begin competing at Suotuo City’s Great Soul Arena 73.

Reorganization in Heaven Dou City

Yu Xiaogang opposes moving Shrek into Heaven Dou Royal Academy, arguing that institutional restrictions would undermine its teaching methods. The group instead turns to Blue Tyrant Academy, where he unexpectedly reunites with Liu Erlong 115 117.

Liu Erlong renames Blue Tyrant as Shrek Academy and assigns him responsibility for Martial Soul Theory research and specialized team training. He revises the curriculum and incorporates four former Blue Tyrant students as reserves 118.

After accusations of favoritism and conflict involving Tai Long, Liu Erlong declares Yu Xiaogang’s teaching arrangements binding on all students and teachers, with expulsion threatened for defiance 119 120.

Confrontation After Tang San’s Defeat

Yu Xiaogang arrives after Lin Chen defeats and injures Tang San in another spar. After hearing Ning Rongrong’s account, he accuses Lin Chen of excessive force. Lin Chen offers to fight him directly, leaving Yu Xiaogang caught between his reputation and his inability to win. He withdraws with Tang San, warning Lin Chen to wait 134.

Notable Quotes

“Little San, remember this: only my theories are the true path of cultivation for Soul Masters.” 5

“Shrek only accepts monsters, not trash. Those who can persevere may stay; those who can’t may leave now.” 36

“You lost a match today, and you feel ashamed. When you step onto a real battlefield someday, what you lose will be your lives.” 53