Ma Hongjun

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Flender took Ma Hongjun in before the story's events. He is described as having decent talent, though his Evil Fire causes persistent problems. 3

In Suo Tuo City, Ma Hongjun accompanies Dai Mubai when they confront Wu Sidu. He encourages Dai Mubai, then steps in after Dai is badly injured; however, Wu Sidu defeats him with Nether Shadow Clone, leaving him seriously wounded. 1 2 3

He later joins Dai Mubai and Tang San in a night raid against the neighboring Shrek Academy. Ma Hongjun is struck by a blue-beam Soul Tool and knocked unconscious; after waking, he realizes the aftermath of the pill he consumed and fears the consequences of his uncontrolled evil fire. The incident nevertheless coincides with his advancement to rank 30. 40 41

During the Star Dou Great Forest journey, Ma Hongjun attempts to pressure a red-haired youth into buying him a meal and reaches for the youth's Gold Soul Coin pouch. The youth is revealed to be Yuanen Yehui of Shrek Academy; Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai attack her, only for Yuanen to throw Ma Hongjun aside without being harmed by his phoenix flames. 72 73

During the same journey, Ma Hongjun asks what their academy will be called after losing the Shrek name. Flender announces the name Monster Academy, making the change before the group's later relocation to Tiandou City. 76

After seeing the opposing academy's ten-meter White-Grade Mecha, Ma Hongjun recognizes Shrek Academy as a true “Monster Academy” and openly asks Flender to acquire one for their group. 124 125

When Flender relocates the original Shrek Academy group to Blue Tyrant Academy in Tiandou City, Ma Hongjun asks whether they can resume using the Shrek name. Flender reiterates that their defeat and naming bet prevent this, and Ma Hongjun continues as a Monster Academy student after the relocation. 147

Ma Hongjun later refuses Yu Xiaogang's request to deliver a letter to Bibi Dong. He mocks the idea that the Supreme Pontiff would respond to Yu Xiaogang and argues that spending money to relieve his own Evil Fire would be more useful. 174

Following the integration of the former Blue Tyrant Academy students, Flender grants Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai, and Oscar priority access to academy resources. Ma Hongjun's resulting arrogance provokes Tai Long, whose rank-36 cultivation exceeds Ma Hongjun's by five levels. Ma Hongjun loses the challenge and is denied the resources, while Dai Mubai unsuccessfully argues that he still deserves them. 196 197

During the academy competition, Ma Hongjun repeatedly witnesses the overwhelming strength of Monster Academy's younger generation. He is particularly shaken by Ye Xinglan's sword intent and Wu Sidu's Hell White Tiger, and ultimately admits that the gap between himself and the competitors is enormous. 215 216 219 226

Ma Hongjun later defeats Yu Xiaogang in a sparring match, publicly embarrassing the self-styled Grandmaster and further worsening their already strained relationship. 234

At the competition's prize presentation, Ma Hongjun openly covets Ye Qingxuan's reward of seven fifty-thousand-year Soul Bones. His excited shouting and gestures prompt Flender to smack the back of his head and silence him. 248

By the period before the upcoming Soul Master Tournament, Ma Hongjun increasingly neglects cultivation, spending most of his Soul Fighting Arena winnings at brothels while his Evil Fire becomes progressively harder to control. 272

After a Soul Fighting Arena outing leaves Dai Mubai seriously injured and Ma Hongjun mildly affected by a Dark Martial Soul, Flender leaves Ma Hongjun in Yu Xiaogang's care while seeking treatment. Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire suddenly erupts in dark-red flames, engulfs the room, and renders both him and Yu Xiaogang unconscious. Upon awakening beside the disheveled Yu Xiaogang, Ma Hongjun is horrified and fears what may have occurred during his loss of control. 274

Six months before the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, Ma Hongjun receives a Mysterious Heaven Skill manual from Tang San. Although he resents Tang San's condescending demands and complains that the technique should have been shared earlier, he immediately refuses to return the manual when challenged. 307 308

On another expedition to the Star Dou Great Forest, Tang San tells Ma Hongjun that a cockscomb phoenix sunflower at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well could cure his Evil Fire. Ma Hongjun becomes eager to obtain it, unaware that Tang San hopes to manipulate him into stealing herbs from Dugu Bo and considers his possible death an acceptable loss. 309

The group encounters humanlike Soul Beasts who forbid hunting in their territory. Ma Hongjun ignores their winged leader's warning and attempts to grope her, prompting another Soul Beast to slash his arm deeply enough to expose bone. Oscar's Recovery Big Sausage barely stops the bleeding. During the group's subsequent flight, Ma Hongjun suffers further injuries described as potentially preventing him from ever visiting brothels again, leaving his future means of relieving Evil Fire uncertain. 309 310

After fleeing into the Love-Questioning Valley of Heaven and Earth, Ma Hongjun blames Tang San for their predicament and recklessly challenges the valley. Golden lightning badly burns him, and he immediately begs for mercy. He is later questioned alongside Tang San and Dai Mubai, struck again for denying feelings toward them, and excluded from the God of Love's nine trials because he has no lover. Despite outwardly expressing regret, he is privately relieved to avoid the trials. 311 314 316

During the tournament, Tang San sends Ma Hongjun into a succession of one-on-one matches against Shrek Academy to buy recovery time for himself and Dai Mubai. Ma Hongjun instead concedes on Monster Academy's behalf, arguing that fighting opponents who had already overwhelmed his stronger teammates would merely invite a beating. Dai Mubai kicks him off the platform and fights again, but is defeated; Tang San then confirms the team's surrender. 326 327

Ma Hongjun later becomes caught in Spirit Hall's encirclement of the Star Luo emperor's party. Seeing no apparent escape, he panics, disavows any connection to Tang San and the others, and begs the attackers to spare him, further enraging Tang San and Dai Mubai. 337

Appearance

Ma Hongjun is a round, heavyset youth with red hair and small eyes. He is frequently depicted as unkempt, food-stained, or dressed impractically for stealth. 1 40 41

• Wears rumpled clothes and was first seen with oil still at the corners of his mouth after breakfast. 1
• Has messy red hair, compared to a chicken coop. 1
• His body is repeatedly described as round or fat. 1 40
• His Evil Fire Phoenix possession surrounds him with purplish-red flames. 2
• During later Evil Fire Phoenix possession, his hair lengthens into a conspicuous mohawk, scales spread over his arms, and his hands become claws. 196
• When his Evil Fire loses control, the flames become dark red and his eyes turn bloodshot. 274
• Golden lightning in the Love-Questioning Valley chars him from head to toe, leaves his hair standing upright, and causes him to cough black smoke. 311

Personality

Ma Hongjun is impulsive, greedy, and easily provoked. He readily joins Dai Mubai in causing trouble, attempts to exploit strangers for food or money, and reacts angrily when his pride is hurt. 1 39 72

Despite this behavior, he is initially loyal to Dai Mubai. He tries to protect him against Wu Sidu and continues to follow his lead during confrontations, even when badly outmatched. His later conduct shows that this loyalty has limits when his own safety is threatened. 2 73 327 337

He is strongly food-motivated and frequently complains about Shrek's poor meals, asks Oscar for sausages, and becomes immediately energized when Dai Mubai offers to pay for food. 56 71 75

Ma Hongjun is also highly covetous of cultivation resources. He resents the preferential treatment Tang San received under Yu Xiaogang, hopes to obtain resources through Dai Mubai's connection to Zhu Zhuqing, and becomes delighted when Flender initially names him a priority resource recipient. 95 196 212

Although initially boastful, Ma Hongjun can recognize an insurmountable disparity in strength. After observing the academy competition, he openly acknowledges that he is far behind Monster Academy's strongest students. 219

His lack of discipline worsens after joining Monster Academy. Despite his unstable Evil Fire, he spends the majority of his Soul Fighting Arena earnings in brothels rather than on cultivation resources, contributing to the increasing difficulty of controlling his martial soul. 272

His lust repeatedly overrides caution and respect for others. He harasses Wu Sidu during their first encounter and later ignores the winged Soul Beast leader's warning to reach for her, provoking an immediate and serious injury. 1 309

He is openly dismissive of Yu Xiaogang's authority. He ridicules Yu Xiaogang's attempt to contact Bibi Dong and mocks his failed theory that Tang San and Tang Wulin are brothers. 174 233

When confronted with lethal danger, Ma Hongjun rapidly abandons bravado. He begs forgiveness after provoking the Love-Questioning Valley, privately celebrates his exclusion from the God of Love's trials, and tries to separate himself from his companions during Spirit Hall's ambush. 311 316 337

His awareness that Evil Fire may eventually kill him also reinforces his pursuit of immediate pleasure. Rather than committing himself to Tang San and Dai Mubai's ambitions after the tournament defeat, he reasons that he should enjoy life while he still can. 328

Abilities & Skills

Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul

Ma Hongjun possesses the Evil Fire Phoenix martial soul, which manifests as intense purplish-red flame and heat. 2

• Phoenix possession — Initially releases two yellow soul rings and produces a surge of heat around his body; by the time of his fight with Tai Long, he possesses three soul rings, including one purple ring. 2 196
• Flame projectile — Fires a ball of purplish-red flame from both hands. 2
• Phoenix Fire Wire — His First Soul Skill, which releases a concentrated crimson stream of flame from his mouth. 196
• Close-range flame attacks — Can gather flames around his hands and strike with them. 73
• Close-range transformation — During possession, his hair forms a mohawk, scales cover his arms, and his hands become claws. 196
• Limitations — His flames failed to damage Yuanen Yehui's dark-gold skin, and Tai Long avoided Phoenix Fire Wire before overpowering him in close combat. 73 196
• Evil-fire instability — Ma Hongjun claims he cannot fully restrain his evil fire, particularly after consuming a pill that made his body heat up. His worsening lack of control later causes a dark-red Evil Fire eruption that incapacitates both him and Yu Xiaogang. 41 272 274
• Increasing danger with cultivation — Tang San warns that the Evil Fire becomes harder to suppress as Ma Hongjun's soul power grows and could eventually burn him to ashes once his body can no longer endure it. Continued brothel visits are presented as an increasingly inadequate and expensive means of relief. 309
• Proposed cure — Tang San identifies the cockscomb phoenix sunflower as an immortal herb capable of resolving his Evil Fire problem and says that he saw one at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. Ma Hongjun does not obtain or consume it in the documented events. 309

Soul Power Advancement

Ma Hongjun reaches rank 30 after being defeated during the failed night raid. He attributes the breakthrough to being beaten and the effects of the pill he had taken. 41

• Becomes a Soul Elder at rank 30. 41
• Later reaches rank 31 and possesses a third soul ring, with a two-yellow, one-purple configuration. 196
• His Third Soul Skill has not been documented in the provided material.
• Receives the Mysterious Heaven Skill cultivation manual from Tang San before the tournament, but no subsequent numerical advancement is specified. 307 308

Mysterious Heaven Skill

Tang San shares the Mysterious Heaven Skill with Monster Academy's students to improve their prospects in the upcoming tournament. Ma Hongjun initially challenges Tang San's demand for obedience, but becomes excited after receiving his manual and insists on keeping it. The acquisition gives him access to the cultivation method without establishing a particular level of mastery. 307 308

Relationships

• Dai Mubai — Close companion whom Ma Hongjun calls “Boss Dai”; he supports Dai in fights and follows him into confrontations, scams, and the failed night raid. Dai later defends Ma Hongjun's right to academy resources after his loss to Tai Long. Their relationship deteriorates when Ma Hongjun concedes against Shrek Academy and Dai kicks him off the platform. Ma Hongjun's subsequent attempt to disassociate himself from the group during Spirit Hall's ambush further enrages Dai. 1 2 40 73 197 327 337
• Flender — Dean who took Ma Hongjun in; frequently rebukes him for his eating habits and unreasonable demands. Flender later grants him priority access to resources, though Ma Hongjun loses that privilege after the challenge from Tai Long. Flender also leaves him in Yu Xiaogang's care when his Evil Fire condition worsens after the Soul Fighting Arena incident. During the later Soul Beast confrontation, Flender urgently orders Oscar to treat Ma Hongjun's bleeding arm. 3 56 125 196 197 274 310
• Tang San — Academy peer and accomplice in the night raid; their relationship becomes tense after the raid's aftermath and Ma Hongjun's interest in Tang San's cultivation resources. Tang San later regards Ma Hongjun as undisciplined and unreliable because he neglects cultivation and fails to control his Evil Fire. Although Tang San provides him with the Mysterious Heaven Skill, he also uses the prospect of curing Evil Fire to bait Ma Hongjun into potentially stealing immortal herbs from Dugu Bo, privately accepting the possibility that Ma Hongjun could die. Ma Hongjun later frustrates his tournament plans by conceding rather than buying recovery time. 41 50 95 272 307 308 309 326 327
• Oscar — Fellow student whose food-type sausages Ma Hongjun repeatedly asks to eat as regular meals. Oscar and Dai Mubai help cover his tuition shortfall, and Oscar later uses a Recovery Big Sausage to stop the bleeding from his severely wounded arm. 56 71 75 310
• Wu Sidu — Overwhelming opponent who defeats Ma Hongjun after he attacks her in defense of Dai Mubai. He later remains alarmed by her rapid growth and Hell White Tiger fusion skill. 2 226
• Yuanen Yehui — Opponent whom Ma Hongjun provokes at the Star Dou Great Forest hotel; she defeats and throws him aside with ease. 72 73
• Tai Long — Former Blue Tyrant Academy student who challenges Ma Hongjun after he boasts about receiving priority resources. Tai Long evades Phoenix Fire Wire, defeats him with repeated punches, and disputes his right to receive academy resources. 196 197
• Yu Xiaogang — Tang San's teacher and a frequent source of tension for Ma Hongjun, particularly over the distribution of resources. Ma Hongjun refuses to deliver his letter to Bibi Dong, mocks his failed kinship theory concerning Tang San and Tang Wulin, and later defeats him in a sparring match while challenging his theoretical authority. When Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire goes out of control after the Soul Fighting Arena incident, Yu Xiaogang is left unconscious alongside him. 95 174 233 234 274
• Winged Soul Beast leader — A humanlike Soul Beast encountered during the later Star Dou Great Forest expedition. Ma Hongjun attempts to grope her despite her warning, and a companion defending her slashes his arm. 309
• God of Love — Deity overseeing the Love-Questioning Valley's assessments. Ma Hongjun is punished with golden lightning during the valley ordeal and is ultimately disqualified from the nine trials because he has no lover, an outcome he secretly welcomes. 311 316

Story Role / Major Arcs

Confrontation with Wu Sidu

Ma Hongjun joins Dai Mubai in provoking Wu Sidu, initially treating her as an easy target. After watching Dai Mubai be overwhelmed, he attacks with Evil Fire Phoenix flames to defend him, but Wu Sidu defeats him almost immediately. 1 2

Failed Night Raid

Alongside Tang San and Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun attempts to ambush and rob students from the neighboring academy. The group is instead defeated by blue-beam Soul Tools, leaving Ma Hongjun unconscious and later implicated in the humiliating aftermath caused by his evil fire. 39 40 41

Star Dou Great Forest Incident

At a hotel outside the Star Dou Great Forest, Ma Hongjun tries to manipulate a red-haired youth into treating him to dinner and attempts to take the youth's money. When challenged, he attacks alongside Dai Mubai, only to be defeated by Yuanen Yehui. 72 73

Encounter with Mecha

Ma Hongjun is stunned by the sight of the other academy's White-Grade Mecha and wants one for himself and his companions. His reaction contributes to his recognition of the academy as a genuine Monster Academy. 124 125

Relocation to Monster Academy

Ma Hongjun accompanies Flender and the other former Shrek Academy members to Blue Tyrant Academy in Tiandou City. Their academy has already adopted the Monster Academy name during the earlier Star Dou Great Forest journey. When Ma Hongjun asks whether they can use the Shrek name again after relocating, Flender reaffirms that he will honor the naming bet, and the group continues as Monster Academy. 76 147

Resource Dispute with Tai Long

After Flender designates Ma Hongjun as a priority recipient of academy resources, Ma Hongjun boasts until Tai Long challenges him. Despite unveiling his three-ring Evil Fire Phoenix and Phoenix Fire Wire, Ma Hongjun is quickly defeated. The loss triggers a dispute between the new and former Blue Tyrant Academy students over whether he deserves access to the resources. 196 197

Academy Competition

As a Monster Academy spectator, Ma Hongjun observes the gap between his own strength and that of the academy's elite students. Ye Xinglan's sword intent frightens him, Wu Sidu's Hell White Tiger leaves him stunned, and he eventually admits that he has little hope of catching up to them. 215 216 219 226

His envy persists despite this recognition. When Ye Qingxuan receives a full set of seven fifty-thousand-year Soul Bones, Ma Hongjun loudly declares that he wants them as well, prompting Flender to strike him and order him to quiet down. 248

Spar with Yu Xiaogang

Ma Hongjun defeats Yu Xiaogang in a sparring match, damaging Yu Xiaogang's standing and openly challenging his claims to theoretical authority. 234

Evil Fire Rampage

Following a Soul Fighting Arena incident in which he is affected by a Dark Martial Soul, Ma Hongjun is left under Yu Xiaogang's supervision. His increasingly unstable Evil Fire erupts uncontrollably, engulfs the room, and knocks both men unconscious; Ma Hongjun later awakens distressed by the uncertain aftermath. 272 274

Mysterious Heaven Skill and the Search for a Cure

Before the tournament, Ma Hongjun receives Tang San's Mysterious Heaven Skill manual. He resents Tang San's attitude and delayed disclosure of the method, but eagerly retains it. During the ensuing Star Dou Great Forest expedition, Tang San tells him that the cockscomb phoenix sunflower could cure his Evil Fire and identifies the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well as its location. Ma Hongjun's hope of curing his martial soul makes him a target of Tang San's plan to obtain immortal herbs without personally risking another encounter with Dugu Bo. 307 308 309

The expedition instead brings Ma Hongjun into conflict with humanlike Soul Beasts affiliated with Shrek Academy. His attempt to grope their winged leader results in a severe arm wound, and he suffers further injuries while the group flees. 309 310

Love-Questioning Valley of Heaven and Earth

After escaping the Soul Beasts, Ma Hongjun and his companions enter the Love-Questioning Valley of Heaven and Earth. Frightened by the prospect of lethal trials, he nevertheless challenges the valley and is immediately struck by golden lightning. His defiance turns into pleas for mercy. 310 311

Ma Hongjun is subsequently tested with Tang San and Dai Mubai. When the three deny having feelings toward one another, the God of Love punishes them and explains that hatred also counts as a feeling. Ma Hongjun's admission that he has no lover excludes him from the nine trials; he feigns disappointment while privately celebrating his escape from further assessments. 314 316

Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament

During Monster Academy's confrontation with Shrek Academy, Tang San sends Ma Hongjun into the one-on-one matches to give himself and Dai Mubai time to recover. Ma Hongjun refuses to endure a one-sided defeat and instead announces the team's surrender. 326 327

Dai Mubai angrily kicks him off the platform and attempts to continue, only to lose again. Tang San then formally concedes. Ma Hongjun shows little interest in their subsequent ambitions, preferring to enjoy his remaining life rather than pursue dangerous opportunities while his Evil Fire remains a threat. 327 328

Spirit Hall Ambush

Ma Hongjun is present when Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and accompanying Spirit Hall fighters surround the Star Luo emperor's party. Overcome by fear, he begs for his life and claims to have nothing to do with his companions. Tang San and Dai Mubai respond with anger and killing intent, while the attackers turn their demands toward the two men's cultivation method. Ma Hongjun's escape or ultimate fate is not established in this encounter. 337

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