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

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
• Her Evil Fire Phoenix martial soul allows her to fly. 10

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

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

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

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. 6 7 8
• 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. 8 10 11 12
• Ming Feng Douluo — Her teacher and the dean of Shrek Academy’s Martial Soul Department. Xiaotao’s position as his disciple contributes to her high status. 6 7
• Yan Shaozhe — Her teacher, who permits Bai Luo to enter the Inner Court and appears willing to create opportunities between the two. 9
• 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. 16

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

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