Ma Xiaotao

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Ma Xiaotao (马小桃)
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Shrek Academy; Shrek Seven Monsters main team
Occupation/Role	Inner Court student; combat team leader
Martial Soul	Phoenix Martial Soul
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 14

Background / History

Ma Xiaotao was plagued by the backlash of her Evil Fire, an increasingly severe instability within her Phoenix Martial Soul. As her cultivation rose, ordinary ice-attribute soul masters could no longer meaningfully suppress it; their aid only treated the symptoms. 19

She first encountered Xue Lingyun in the Star Dou Great Forest while suffering an Evil Fire flare-up. His exceptionally pure ice-attribute power suppressed the fire thoroughly, leaving a cooling effect in her meridians that surpassed every previous treatment. 14 Yan Shaozhe, her teacher and Shrek’s Martial Soul Department dean, later identified Xue Lingyun’s Extreme Ice as the reason she could cultivate normally again. 63

After Xue Lingyun enrolled at Shrek, she repeatedly sought him out during flare-ups, including unannounced late-night visits to his dormitory. Their arrangement eventually developed into regular joint cultivation: Xue Lingyun purified and returned her Evil Fire as stable soul power, while the process tempered both of their bodies and meridians. 19 85 93 143

Appearance

Ma Xiaotao is a fiery red-haired young woman whose appearance often reflects the heat and strain of her Phoenix Martial Soul.

• Long, fiery red hair, sometimes tied into a neat ponytail. 132 147
• Typically wears Shrek Academy’s school uniform; she also wears a dark-red fitted outfit for cultivation and combat. 143
• Her skin flushes red and her hair becomes damp during intense cultivation or Evil Fire episodes. 127
• Her Phoenix Flame manifests as intense golden-red fire and fiery red feathers. 148

Personality

Ma Xiaotao is direct, forceful, and highly competitive. She dislikes being treated as weak or left out of battle, though she can accept tactical decisions she disagrees with when she understands their necessity. 179

She has a playful, teasing rapport with Xue Lingyun, regularly provoking him, joining his mischief in Yan Shaozhe’s office, and reacting strongly when he teases her in return. 45 51 150 Beneath this attitude, she is observant and concerned for him, particularly after his encounter with six attackers, when she offered to hold off enemies beyond her ability if necessary. 142

Abilities & Skills

Phoenix Martial Soul

Ma Xiaotao possesses a powerful Phoenix Martial Soul that manifests through golden-red Phoenix Flame.

• Uses overwhelming flames to break enemy defenses and dominate frontal engagements. 148 159
• Can form a golden-red fire phoenix during attacks. 148
• Her flames rapidly evaporate encroaching mist and can protect her from explosions and poisonous blood. 159 193
• Her martial soul carries Evil Fire, which becomes more volatile as her cultivation grows. 19

Evil Fire Suppression and Joint Cultivation

Xue Lingyun’s Extreme Ice and later his Dark Demon Core enable Ma Xiaotao to stabilize the Evil Fire.

• Her Evil Fire is drawn into Xue Lingyun, compressed and purified, then returned as gentler soul power. 85
• The process stabilizes her aura and tempers her body; it also strengthens Xue Lingyun’s meridians and ice attribute. 85 143
• Their sessions become a recurring arrangement, at one point planned weekly. 85
• Even after his power rises sharply, she continues relying on him as Evil Fire flare-ups become more frequent. 128 132

Combat Leadership

Ma Xiaotao leads one side during the Shrek main-team and reserve-team training matches.

• Selects Xue Lingyun, Gongyang Mo, Xixi, He Caitou, Huo Yuhao, and Xiao Xiao for her team. 147
• Trusts Huo Yuhao’s Spiritual Probe Sharing after learning of it and incorporates it into the team’s strategy. 147
• Coordinates with Xue Lingyun to pressure Dai Yaoheng’s side, yielding the anti-ice role to him while she exploits openings with Phoenix Flame. 148
• Leads from the front during the clash with the Hand of Death Bandit Group. 159

Relationships

• Xue Lingyun — Benefactor, cultivation partner, teammate, and frequent target of her teasing. He repeatedly suppresses her Evil Fire; their relationship is marked by familiarity, trust, and unresolved tension. 14 85 128 142 150
• Yan Shaozhe — Teacher. He is deeply concerned about her Evil Fire and tacitly permits her frequent contact with Xue Lingyun. 14 51 63
• Dai Yaoheng — Fellow Shrek Seven Monster and combat rival. She seeks to prove her superiority against him, though they cooperate effectively in team battles. 148 194
• Ling Luochen — Fellow Inner Court student who previously tried to suppress Ma Xiaotao’s Evil Fire, but could no longer manage it as Ma Xiaotao grew stronger. 40
• Xiao Xiao — Junior teammate whom Ma Xiaotao helps overcome her fear of flight by personally taking her into the air. 155
• Gongyang Mo — Teammate. She insists that he remain five meters away from her. 147

Story Role / Major Arcs

Evil Fire Suppression

Ma Xiaotao’s first major role centers on her unstable Evil Fire. Xue Lingyun saves her in the Star Dou Great Forest, then becomes the only person able to suppress her condition thoroughly enough for her to cultivate normally. 14 19 63

Shrek Academy and Freshman Assessment

She becomes a familiar presence around Xue Lingyun at Shrek, attending the Treasure Appreciation Meeting with him, teasing him about his choices, and helping conceal his minor thefts from Yan Shaozhe’s office. 39 51 She also intends to watch and cheer for him during the Freshman Assessment. 51

Regular Tempering Partnership

After Xue Lingyun devises a new method, Ma Xiaotao joins him in mutual cultivation sessions. The purified Evil Fire stabilizes her while providing body-tempering benefits to them both. 85 93 When he returns at Level 49, she resumes seeking his help and asks him not to disappear again. 127 128

Shrek Seven Monsters Training

As a main-team member, Ma Xiaotao leads a mixed team of main and reserve members against Dai Yaoheng’s side. Xue Lingyun’s Ice Dragon King suppresses the opposing ice users and slows Dai Yaoheng, allowing her Phoenix Flame to secure victory. 147 148

She later loses a bet to Xue Lingyun after he empowers Ling Luochen’s ice attribute without directly attacking. Xue Lingyun postpones collecting the condition she owes him. 149 150

Tournament and Field Missions

During the journey toward Star Luo City, Ma Xiaotao assists Xiao Xiao with flight training and fights with the main team against the Hand of Death Bandit Group. Her rapid response to Xue Lingyun’s warning protects her from the ensuing explosion and poisonous blood. 155 159

In the tournament, she is at times held back for tactical reasons, which frustrates her even when she accepts the decision. 179 She later fights alongside Dai Yaoheng to breach Douling Royal Academy’s defenses. 194

Trivia

• Ma Xiaotao is Yan Shaozhe’s personal disciple. 51 63
• She calls Xue Lingyun’s ability to suppress her Evil Fire more effective than any prior treatment. 14
• She is uncomfortable with Gongyang Mo standing close to her and enforces a five-meter distance. 147
• Xue Lingyun’s return at Level 49 visibly surprises her, as he had been Level 40 before the vacation. 127 128