Ma Xiaotao

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Ma Xiaotao (马小桃)
Alias(es)	Flame Mad Demon
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Shrek Academy Inner Court; Shrek Seven Monsters
Occupation/Role	Inner Court disciple; disciple of Ming Feng Douluo
First Appearance	6

Background

Ma Xiaotao first encountered Bai Luo two years before the events at Shrek Academy. At the time, the Evil Fire associated with her Evil Fire Phoenix martial soul had left her severely tormented, and conventional healing methods had failed to produce meaningful results. Initially dismissive of the young “miracle doctor,” she nevertheless sought his help. 7

Bai Luo could not eradicate her Evil Fire because it was a defining characteristic of her martial soul rather than an illness. However, his Medicine King martial soul could forcibly suppress it, allowing Xiaotao to cultivate without restraint until the effect faded. She thereafter became a regular at his clinic and came to regard it as a safe place to vent frustrations she could not express at Shrek Academy. 7

Her gratitude gradually developed into romantic attachment. Xiaotao becomes increasingly possessive of Bai Luo’s attention, particularly when other women approach him, while her suppressed feelings themselves aggravate her Evil Fire. 6 7

Having no family of her own, Xiaotao long regarded Shrek Academy as her home. Her faith in the academy is severely shaken when its leadership refuses to spend the resources needed to restore Chu Yan’s depleted vitality, despite his injury occurring during a Monitoring Corps operation. 31 33 34

Appearance

Ma Xiaotao is a tall young woman with fiery crimson hair, scarlet eyes, and an imposing yet striking presence. Her reputation and status make other noblewomen reluctant to challenge her openly. 6

• Long crimson hair cascading down her back. 6
• Scarlet, phoenix-like eyes. 6 7
• Often described as having a fiery, alluring beauty. 6
• Wears Shrek Academy’s distinctive scarlet Inner Court uniform. 9
• Her Evil Fire Phoenix martial soul allows her to fly. 10
• During Evil Fire Phoenix Possession, phoenix wings manifest from her back amid intense flames. 67

Personality

Xiaotao is direct, forceful, and fiercely protective of Bai Luo. She readily drives away women whom she believes are exploiting his gentleness, though she recognizes that her own interest in him is far from selfless. 6

Around Bai Luo, she is notably softer and more vulnerable. She confides in him about her conflicts at Shrek Academy and cherishes the sense of safety his clinic provides. Her affection is accompanied by jealousy and a desire for his gentleness to belong exclusively to her. 7

She is also competitive and prideful, especially toward Ling Luochan. Rather than concede an argument, Xiaotao claims Bai Luo is her boyfriend and brings him to Shrek Academy to substantiate the claim, later attempting to maintain the pretense despite her growing embarrassment. 8 10 11

Xiaotao is highly battle-hungry and confident in her strength. During the assassination ambush in Shrek City, she eagerly assumes responsibility for fighting the attackers and is enraged when they attempt to bypass her to target Huo Yuhao. However, her temper can make her act impulsively; in her fury, she nearly kills the group’s sole surviving assassin before realizing that he must be preserved for interrogation. 67 69

Although initially certain that Shrek Academy would support an injured student, she is deeply disillusioned by the academy’s refusal to treat Chu Yan. Rather than dismissing her confusion, she seeks Bai Luo’s explanation and begins to recognize the institution’s interest-driven nature. 31 33 34

Abilities & Skills

Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul

Ma Xiaotao possesses the Evil Fire Phoenix martial soul, whose Evil Fire is an inherent trait rather than a conventional illness. Its recurrent flare-ups cause her significant distress and can interfere with cultivation. 7

• Grants her the ability to fly across Sea God Lake. 10
• Her Evil Fire grows stronger alongside her cultivation. 7
• The condition cannot be fully cured through Bai Luo’s Absolute Healing; it can only be suppressed. 7
• Her mental state and repressed emotions can provoke the Evil Fire into acting up sooner than expected. 7
• Can activate Evil Fire Phoenix Possession, manifesting phoenix wings and a blazing flame aura. 67
• Can form her flames into a powerful Fire Phoenix attack capable of overwhelming an ordinary Soul Emperor. 68

Soul Emperor Cultivation

By the time Bai Luo begins regularly treating her Evil Fire, Xiaotao has reached the Soul Emperor realm. Bai Luo notes that he had once been below her in cultivation but had since caught up and nearly reached Soul Sage, making the suppression process easier for him. 7

Xiaotao is an elite Soul Emperor rather than an ordinary one. During the Shrek City ambush, she manifests six soul rings and decisively suppresses the assassins’ Soul Emperor leader in direct combat. 67 68

Power Progression

Period	Cultivation/Advancement	Details
By Chapter 7	Soul Emperor	Xiaotao had reached the Soul Emperor realm by the time Bai Luo began routinely suppressing her Evil Fire. 7
Chapter 67	Six-ring Soul Emperor	She manifests six soul rings while using Evil Fire Phoenix Possession against the assassins targeting Huo Yuhao. 67

Relationships

• Bai Luo — Her physician, confidant, and romantic interest. His suppression of her Evil Fire brings her repeated relief, while her feelings develop from gratitude into possessiveness and jealousy. Xiaotao also relies on his judgment after her faith in Shrek Academy is shaken, and she mediates between him and Shrek’s leadership when they dispute custody of an assassin. 6 7 8 33 70
• Ling Luochan — Longstanding Inner Court rival. Their conflict over Xiaotao’s claim that Bai Luo is her boyfriend leads Ling Luochan to become a romantic rival as well. Their competition becomes overt when both insist on pursuing Bai Luo, though they fight on the same side during the Shrek City ambush. 8 10 11 12 61 68
• Yan Shaozhe (Ming Feng Douluo) — Her teacher and the dean of Shrek Academy’s Martial Soul Department. He permits Bai Luo to enter the Inner Court and quietly creates opportunities between the two, hoping Xiaotao can draw Bai Luo closer to Shrek Academy. 6 7 9 70
• Jiang Nannan — A fellow woman interested in Bai Luo. Nannan recognizes Xiaotao as a serious rival because of Xiaotao’s initiative, status, and closeness to him; both women become visibly protective when other women show interest in Bai Luo. 16 62 63
• Zhang Lexuan — An Inner Court senior whom Xiaotao respects. Xiaotao recommends Bai Luo as the only person who may be able to treat Chu Yan, and the two later share disappointment in Shrek Academy after it refuses to provide the necessary treatment resources. 30 31 33
• Snow Empress — A fellow resident of Bai Luo’s clinic and ally during the assassination ambush. The Snow Empress prevents Xiaotao from killing the final Soul Emperor so that the group can interrogate him, for which Xiaotao expresses gratitude. 57 69
• Huo Yuhao — Bai Luo’s sworn younger-brother-like companion. Xiaotao fiercely defends him when assassins attempt to kill him in Shrek City. 67 68

Story Role / Major Arcs

Bai Luo’s Flower Guardian

Xiaotao intervenes at Bai Luo’s clinic when a married patient attempts to seduce him, intimidating the woman into leaving. Bai Luo thanks her, while Xiaotao urges him to be less accommodating toward those who take advantage of his kindness. 6

Suppression of the Evil Fire

She turns to Bai Luo after other methods fail to control her Evil Fire. His treatment enables her to cultivate freely for a time, making her a frequent visitor to his clinic and deepening their emotional connection. 7

Shrek Academy Invitation

After claiming during an argument that Bai Luo is her boyfriend, Xiaotao invites him to Shrek Academy’s admissions day to prove it to Ling Luochan. Bai Luo agrees without knowing the full reason behind the invitation. 8

False Girlfriend Ruse

At Shrek Academy, Xiaotao publicly declares Bai Luo to be her boyfriend to deter girls surrounding him. She then repeats the claim before Ling Luochan, but Bai Luo inadvertently reveals that the relationship is only a pretense. 9 10 11

Emergence of a Romantic Rival

Although Ling Luochan does not openly ridicule her after learning the truth, Xiaotao realizes that Ling Luochan has developed an interest in Bai Luo. This leaves Xiaotao facing a new romantic rival while she is summoned away by Xuan Lao. 12

Shrek Academy Disillusionment

Xiaotao recommends Bai Luo to Zhang Lexuan as a possible healer for Chu Yan’s lost vitality and wagers Bai Luo that Shrek Academy will provide the required resources. When the academy refuses, Xiaotao loses the wager and confronts the collapse of her idealized view of the institution as a family. 30 31 33 34

Treasure Appraisal Fair

Xiaotao invites Bai Luo to Shrek Academy’s Treasure Appraisal Fair and guides the group through the Treasure Pavilion. She and Jiang Nannan drive away a greeter who openly flirts with Bai Luo, while Xiaotao complains that his exceptional appearance attracts too much unwanted attention. 61 63

Defense Against the Shrek City Ambush

When six assassins target Huo Yuhao and Bai Luo’s companions, Xiaotao volunteers to fight and activates Evil Fire Phoenix Possession. She overwhelms the opposing Soul Emperor, but the Snow Empress prevents her from delivering the final blow after Bai Luo decides the attacker must be kept alive for interrogation. 67 68 69

Conflict with Shrek Leadership

After the battle, Xiaotao is caught between Bai Luo and Yan Shaozhe when Shrek Academy attempts to take custody of the captured assassin. She supports Bai Luo’s right to handle the captive as one of the directly affected parties, helping avert an open confrontation with her teacher. 70

Trivia

• Xiaotao is known in Shrek City as Bai Luo’s “red-haired flower guardian.” 6
• She is one of the Inner Court students who can fly, unlike many students who require transport to cross Sea God Lake. 10
• Her attempt to carry Bai Luo across Sea God Lake fails when he reveals that his soul-power control lets him walk above the water himself. 10
• Yan Shaozhe had Sea God Lake’s boats removed for “safety inspections,” intending to create an opportunity for Xiaotao to carry Bai Luo across the lake. 10
• Xiaotao and Ling Luochan are known as the Inner Court’s Ice and Fire Twin Stars. 8