Ma Xiaotao

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Ma Xiaotao (马小桃)
Alias(es)	Xiao Tao; “Inner Court’s living volcano” 139 160
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Shrek Academy; Shrek Academy’s tournament team 75 166
Occupation/Role	Inner Court disciple; official-team captain during the Inner Court vs. Outer Court exercise; tournament combatant 78 142
Martial Soul	Evil Fire Phoenix 139 141
Status	Active; her Evil Fire was purged by Su Qing 148 204
First Appearance	Chapter 35

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Soul King, Level 55	75	Listed among Shrek’s Inner Court main-team members as a fifty-fifth-level Soul King.
Soul Emperor, Level 69	139, 141	Near the Soul Sage bottleneck; her Evil Fire and unresolved internal injuries destabilize her Soul Power.
Seven-ring / “quasi-Soul Sage” state	161, 162	After Su Qing purges the Evil Fire and restores her foundation, she can fight at near-Soul Sage strength even under an Elemental Isolation Barrier. Seven Soul Rings are displayed in battle.

Background

Ma Xiaotao was Yan Shaozhe’s disciple and suffered for years from the corrupting influence of her Evil Fire. Her condition could drive her into a frenzy, and Yan Shaozhe feared that she would eventually lose herself and become an Evil Soul Master. During an earlier rampage, Su Qing briefly granted her Ultimate Fire, allowing her to break free from the Evil Fire’s control; she later realized that the corruption had weakened as a result. 35 40 41

Yan Shaozhe sought Su Qing’s help in curing her and initially tried to arrange opportunities for them to spend time together. Ma Xiaotao’s subsequent interest in Su Qing, however, develops independently of this scheme. She gives him an Invincible Barrier before his soul-ring hunt, offers cultivation advice to Xiao Xiao, and takes responsibility for carrying Xiao Xiao during the journey to Star Luo City. 43 82 84

As the Inner Court team’s captain, Ma Xiaotao is reprimanded after carelessly allowing her team to be placed under pressure in the Inner Court versus Outer Court clash. She accepts punishment alongside Dai Yueheng and the other responsible members. 78

Appearance

Ma Xiaotao is repeatedly noted for her beauty, fiery figure, and imposing presence. Her Martial Soul manifests as a black-red or purplish-red phoenix with wings that allow her to fly. 75 141 162

• Her Evil Fire manifests as purple-black flames that corrode her Sea of Consciousness. 139
• Her usual flame color is orange-red; when empowered by Su Qing, it becomes blazing crimson Ultimate Fire. 178
• Following the purge of her Evil Fire, she is described as noticeably more radiant. 161

Personality

Before her cure, Ma Xiaotao is proud, forceful, and accustomed to treating men as brothers. Her Evil Fire exacerbates her volatility, insecurity, and fear that she may become a burden or an Evil Soul Master. 79 139

She is also decisive and protective. She assumes logistical responsibility for weaker teammates, obeys Wang Yan’s order to wait before attacking the Hand of Death, and later volunteers without hesitation to accompany Su Qing on his revenge against the Iron Blood Sect. 84 93 197

After her Evil Fire is purged, Ma Xiaotao becomes gentler, more emotionally open, and openly affectionate toward Su Qing. She remains blunt and competitive, but demonstrates greater confidence and control over her strength. 160 162 165

Abilities & Skills

Evil Fire Phoenix

Ma Xiaotao’s Martial Soul grants powerful fire-based offense, flight, and overwhelming physical strength. Before its purification, its Evil Fire endangered her body and mind; afterward, her restored foundation lets her fully exert her Soul Power. 139 141 161

• Uses black-red phoenix wings for aerial mobility. 141 162
• Can pressure weaker opponents with pure Soul Power when elemental attacks are suppressed. 141 162
• Her Evil Fire’s corruption once reached half of her Sea of Consciousness. 139
• Elemental Isolation Barriers can suppress her flames, though they no longer prevent her from fighting effectively after her recovery. 141 162

Phoenix Roar Heaven Strike

Ma Xiaotao launches a phoenix-based charge with her second Soul Skill, Phoenix Roar Heaven Strike. 141

• Creates a purplish-red phoenix phantom and a scorching frontal assault. 141
• Its force nearly collapses a Level 4 Invincible Barrier despite her injuries and elemental suppression. 142
• Her weakened state causes severe backlash when the barrier blocks the attack. 142

Phoenix Meteor Shower

Her sixth Soul Skill, Phoenix Meteor Shower, rains repeated phoenix-fire strikes over a wide area. 162 176

• Used to deny escape routes and defeat Yang Yifan after he attempts an ambush. 162
• Can overcome opponents carrying multiple Invincible Barriers through continuous attacks. 162
• Without elemental suppression, its scale and power increase significantly. 176

Physical Combat

After her recovery, Ma Xiaotao can defeat strong opponents even without relying on flames. 162

• Defeats the Soul King Yu Mengdi through close-quarters attacks while under an Elemental Isolation Barrier. 162
• Shatters an Invincible Barrier immediately after its protection expires. 162
• Uses her superior Soul Power to overwhelm Soul Ancestor-level opponents. 162

Ultimate Fire Enhancement

Su Qing can temporarily infuse Ma Xiaotao with his Ultimate Fire. 178

• Her ordinary orange-red flames transform into blazing crimson flames capable of incinerating Ma Rulong and his linked Soul Tool array. 178
• The enhancement allows Ma Xiaotao and Su Qing to use Phoenix Roar Heaven Strike to end the team battle. 178
• Ma Xiaotao recognizes the power as Ultimate Fire but does not regard permanent advancement to an Ultimate attribute as assured. 178

Equipment / Items

• Invincible Barrier — Given to Su Qing before his journey to obtain a soul ring. 82
• Ice Jade Scorpion Soul Bone — Purchased and gifted to Su Qing in gratitude for saving her and purging her Evil Fire. 153 160
• Secret technique Soul Bone — Also given to Su Qing at his request. 160

Relationships

• Su Qing — Teammate, savior, and romantic partner. He suppresses and ultimately purges her Evil Fire; they confess their feelings and share their first kiss. 147 148 160 161
• Yan Shaozhe — Her master. He desperately sought a cure for her Evil Fire, but later becomes an Evil Soul Master and attacks her. 40 41 203
• Xiao Xiao — Junior teammate and friend. Ma Xiaotao offers her cultivation guidance, carries her during the journey to Star Luo City, and receives her concern after being injured. 83 84 144
• Xi Xi — Fellow Inner Court disciple and roommate during the tournament. Xi Xi notices Ma Xiaotao’s feelings for Su Qing and worries over her condition. 139 145 147
• Zhang Lexuan — Fellow Shrek senior and Su Qing’s partner. They cooperate with Su Qing during the confrontation with the Iron Blood Sect and Yan Shaozhe. 198 203
• Tang Ya — Ally in Su Qing’s revenge against the Iron Blood Sect; Ma Xiaotao supports Tang Ya’s cause without hesitation. 197 199

Story Role / Major Arcs

Evil Fire Crisis

Ma Xiaotao’s rampage brings her into contact with Su Qing, whose Ultimate Fire can restrain her corruption. Yan Shaozhe subsequently seeks Su Qing’s aid, while Ma Xiaotao gradually becomes attached to him. 35 40 43

Shrek Reserve-Team and Inspection Arc

She leads Su Qing’s Inner Court team against Dai Yueheng’s Outer Court team but is punished for her carelessness. She later joins the Shrek group investigating the Hand of Death, where she beats Huo Yuhao to the discovery of the enemy base. 78 93

Soul Master Tournament

Still injured and nearing a dangerous breakthrough, Ma Xiaotao forces herself into the match against Changning Academy. Her attack is blocked by an Invincible Barrier, leaving her vulnerable until Su Qing intervenes. She later reveals that she feared becoming an Evil Soul Master if she could not purge her Evil Fire. 141 144

Purification and Recovery

After consenting to Su Qing’s treatment, Ma Xiaotao endures several hours of extreme pain while he burns the Evil Fire out of her Martial Soul origin and restores the damage with life energy. The process permanently removes the Evil Fire and changes her disposition and combat potential. 147 148 161

Tournament Redemption

With her injuries healed and Evil Fire gone, Ma Xiaotao defeats Yu Mengdi and Yang Yifan despite another Elemental Isolation Barrier. She later fights beside Su Qing against Ma Rulong, receiving Ultimate Fire enhancement to incinerate Ma Rulong’s linked Soul Tool array. 162 178

Yan Shaozhe’s Disappearance

Ma Xiaotao searches unsuccessfully for her missing master and is devastated when she discovers he has become an Evil Soul Master. Despite this, she joins the Ice Empress and Su Qing’s side to confront him. 165 189 203

Iron Blood Sect Retaliation

Ma Xiaotao accompanies Su Qing, Tang Ya, and Zhang Lexuan against the Iron Blood Sect. She carries out Su Qing’s order to kill the sect members gathered in the main hall and incinerates the evidence. 197 199

Notable Quotes

“I don't have much longer to live. This was my first appearance in the Soul Master Tournament. I don't want to leave behind any regrets...” 143

“I like you.” 161