Ma Xiaotao

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Ma Xiaotao (马小桃)
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Shrek Academy; Starry Express
Occupation/Role	Shrek Academy Inner Court student; Starry Express companion/Pioneer
Status	Active; accompanies the Starry Express beyond the Douluo world 88
First Appearance	Mentioned in Chapter 20; first appears in Chapter 28 20 28

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Soul Emperor	20 26	Introduced as an Inner Court student who had recently reached Soul Emperor level; her Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul troubled her for years.
Soul Sage (Level 70)	53	Spars with Lin Yu after advancing to level 70.
Soul Sage; Nine-Headed Phoenix	62	Returns from a nearly year-long journey through the past with her Martial Soul evolved from Evil Fire Phoenix into the Nine-Headed Phoenix.

Background / History

Ma Xiaotao was Yan Shaozhe's disciple at Shrek Academy and one of its foremost Inner Court talents. Her Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul possessed fire close to the Ultimate Fire attribute, but its evil fire repeatedly destabilized her Soul Power and threatened to make her lose control. Existing methods, including suppression through Xu Sanshi's Black Tortoise Martial Soul, could only offer temporary relief. 27

When she learned that Lin Yu possessed an Ultimate Ice Martial Soul, Ma Xiaotao immediately sought him out despite Yan Shaozhe's suspicions and attempts to restrain her. She repeatedly tried to leave to find him, eventually escaping confinement and flying to his dormitory. 28

Ma Xiaotao abducted Lin Yu to a secluded beach outside Shrek City so that he could suppress her evil fire. Though rash in her methods, she explained her condition and apologized for bringing him there. During the attempt, her evil fire overwhelmed her control; Lin Yu's Snow Empress Martial Soul ultimately suppressed it completely for a time. 29 30

Believing that Lin Yu needed help to withstand the vast gap between their Soul Power, Ma Xiaotao obtained Mysterious Water Pills from Yan Shaozhe and gave them to him. Her trust and concern made Yan Shaozhe fear that Lin Yu was taking his disciple away. 31 32

Lin Yu later offered a permanent solution in exchange for a Golden Contract. Ma Xiaotao signed without hesitation, becoming a Starry Express companion and allowing Lin Yu to share her Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul. She then consumed the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, which eradicated the evil fire that had plagued her for years. 37

She subsequently traveled with Qian Renxue through the past, encountered figures far beyond the scale of Shrek Academy, and aided the Starry Express group in its conflicts. After nearly a year spent ten thousand years in the past, she returned to Shrek Academy with only a short time having passed locally—now a Soul Sage with an evolved Nine-Headed Phoenix Martial Soul. 46 47 62

Appearance

Ma Xiaotao is a red-haired young woman who wears her hair in a bun. When activating her Martial Soul, golden-red flames surround her and phoenix wings emerge from her back. 28 46

• Red hair, seen styled in a bun while traveling with Qian Renxue. 46
• Golden-red flames released from her body when her Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul is active. 28
• Large phoenix wings that allow aerial movement. 28
• Her Martial Soul later evolves into the Nine-Headed Phoenix. 62

Personality

Ma Xiaotao is direct, impulsive, and unwilling to wait when her condition is at stake. She disregards Yan Shaozhe's warnings and confinement because the prospect of Ultimate Ice suppression is too valuable for her to ignore. 28

Her recklessness is balanced by a fundamentally kind disposition. After abducting Lin Yu, she apologizes sincerely and explains that desperation over her Evil Fire forced her hand. She also repeatedly seeks cultivation resources for him because she believes the difference in their strength could hurt him. 29 31

She is confident and mischievous, interpreting Lin Yu's conspicuous displays at Sea God Lake as the behavior of a fellow genius who enjoys showing off. Even after gaining greater strength, she retains an energetic, big-sisterly manner toward him and offers to help with his future problems. 28 84

Abilities & Skills

Evil Fire Phoenix / Nine-Headed Phoenix Martial Soul

Ma Xiaotao originally possessed the Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, a nearly Ultimate Fire-attribute Martial Soul whose evil fire made her powerful but unstable. After her evil fire was eliminated and she journeyed through the past, it evolved into the Nine-Headed Phoenix. 20 27 62

• Produces powerful golden-red flames and grants phoenix wings. 28
• Its evil fire can cause Ma Xiaotao to lose control if left unsuppressed. 20 30
• Ultimate Ice can suppress the evil fire temporarily; the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower removes it permanently. 29 37
• Her contracted Martial Soul is shared with Lin Yu through the Golden Contract. 37

Flight and Fire Combat

Ma Xiaotao can fly through the air using her manifested phoenix wings and confront opponents directly with her flame-based Soul Power. 28 30

• Flew from Shrek Academy to Lin Yu's dormitory and later carried him back after their encounter. 29 31
• Was prepared to fight on Hell Road, though the enemies there had already been eliminated before she could act. 52
• Reached Soul Sage level before the age of twenty, making her one of Shrek Academy's most exceptional students. 62

Tracking

Her Shrek Academy experience includes tracking Evil Soul Masters through faint traces. 69

• Located a Titled Douluo-level Holy Spirit Cult Evil Soul Master in Heaven Dou City before he could target Tang Ya. 69
• Assisted the Starry Express companions in protecting Tang Ya from that threat. 69

Starry Express Pioneer

As a Golden Contract companion, Ma Xiaotao is connected to the Starry Express and its other Pioneers. 37 78

• Can be recalled to the Starry Express through the contract during emergencies. 47
• Gains the shared ability to summon the Starry Express regardless of time or location. 78
• Travels with the group when they depart the Douluo world. 88

Relationships

• Lin Yu — Her junior brother, benefactor, and fellow Starry Express companion. He first suppresses her evil fire, later permanently cures it and contracts her Martial Soul. 29 37
• Yan Shaozhe — Her teacher and Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Department dean. He searches desperately for a cure to her condition and worries that Lin Yu will lead her astray. 27 31
• Qian Renxue — Fellow Starry Express companion who travels with Ma Xiaotao to the past; Ma Xiaotao is initially overwhelmed by Qian Renxue's connection to Qian Daoliu and the Worship Hall. 37 38
• Snow Empress — Fellow companion who welcomes Ma Xiaotao aboard the Starry Express after her contract. 37
• Ice Empress — Fellow companion whose strength and experience place Ma Xiaotao's fear of Qian Daoliu in perspective. 46
• Tang Ya — Ma Xiaotao helps protect her by tracking down the Holy Spirit Cult Evil Soul Master pursuing her. 69

Notable Quotes

“If you ever need anything in the future, you can tell me. I can help you solve your problems.” 84