Ma Xiaotao

Biodata

Name	Ma Xiaotao (马小桃)
Alias(es)	Lie Yan Madwoman; Lie Yan Maniac
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Shrek Academy Inner Court; Shrek Academy’s tournament main team
Occupation/Role	Assault-type battle Soul Master; team leader
Status	Active
First Appearance	31

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Six-ring Soul Emperor	31	Her Evil Fire Phoenix possesses six Soul Rings: two yellow, two purple, and two black. During an Evil Fire outbreak, she loses control and attacks Gu Shengge.
Soul Emperor with purified Ultimate Fire	121	Gu Shengge completely purifies the evil taint in her Martial Soul, transforming her fire into Ultimate Fire and greatly increasing her combat strength.
Level 69 Soul Emperor	127	Introduces herself as a Level 69 assault-type battle Soul Emperor; she is close to reaching Soul Sage.

Background / History

Ma Xiaotao descends from the Phoenix Douluo lineage of the first-generation Shrek Seven Monsters and is identified as Ma Hongjun’s descendant. Her inherited Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul is both her greatest strength and a lifelong affliction. Since beginning cultivation, she has suffered recurring Evil Fire eruptions; Shrek Academy repeatedly used ice-attributed Soul Masters and items to suppress them, but the suppression made later outbreaks more severe. Without a cure, Yan Shaozhe believed the condition could kill her within a few years. 34

Her condition reaches a crisis when she goes berserk near Sea God Lake and attacks Gu Shengge. Gu uses the Angel God Martial Soul’s Holy Purification to subdue her, leaving her unconscious and unable to remember the rampage. After learning that the skill had calmed and weakened the evil nature in her fire, Ma Xiaotao is remorseful over the danger she caused and eagerly seeks further treatment. 31 32

Yan Shaozhe arranges for Gu Shengge to purify her Martial Soul after school each day. Over the following months, the Evil Fire becomes increasingly pure, while Ma Xiaotao’s condition and cultivation cease being constrained by the need for suppression. By the time she faces the assassins targeting Gu Shengge, the evil taint has been completely removed and her flames have become Ultimate Fire. 34 35 121

Appearance

Ma Xiaotao has a fiery, regal bearing that contrasts with an aloof and intimidating demeanor. She is commonly associated with crimson clothing and phoenix imagery. 33

• Long red hair; later tied into a practical ponytail. 34 127
• Crimson phoenix eyes. 32 35
• Wears red academy attire as an Inner Court disciple. 127
• Has worn a phoenix-feather dress, black veil, red thigh-high stockings, and phoenix-patterned golden heels. 33

Personality

Ma Xiaotao is direct, forceful, and highly protective of those she considers her own. Her combat temperament is especially fierce; she takes attacks on Shrek Academy students as a personal affront and pursues enemies without hesitation. 120 121

Despite her aggression, she is capable of remorse and gratitude. She blames herself after her uncontrolled rampage, appreciates Gu Shengge’s continued treatment, and offers him protection within the academy. 32 34 35

As a leader, Ma Xiaotao favors decisive action and overwhelming force, but she can also assign roles according to her teammates’ strengths. Her rivalry with Dai Yueheng is tied to her determination to prove that she deserves to lead the team. 128 130 132

Abilities & Skills

Evil Fire Phoenix / Ultimate Fire

Ma Xiaotao’s Martial Soul originally manifests as the Evil Fire Phoenix, granting her exceptionally destructive phoenix flames at the cost of recurring loss of control. Gu Shengge’s purification removes the evil attribute, allowing her flames to become Ultimate Fire. 31 34 121

• Her Evil Fire initially caused berserk episodes and threatened her life. 31 34
• Her purified golden-red Lie Yans resist Ling Luochen’s powerful ice control far better than before. 128 131
• The transformation improves her overall strength and is expected to help her reach seven rings within a year. 121
• Her physical strength after purification becomes comparable to Dai Yueheng’s despite his body-enhancing Soul Skills. 130

Phoenix Baptized in Fire

Her second Soul Skill surrounds her with intense phoenix flames for offense and defense. 120 130

• Used alongside her mobility skills to accelerate into enemy formations. 120
• Allows her to confront attacks such as Chen Zifeng’s Soulchaser Sword while continuing her assault. 130

Phoenix Wings Soaring

Her third Soul Skill provides explosive aerial speed and pursuit capability. 120

• Combined with Phoenix Baptized in Fire and her leg Soul Bones to intercept fleeing enemies within seconds. 120
• Enables rapid changes in direction while fighting in the air. 121

Phoenix Meteor Shower

Ma Xiaotao’s sixth Soul Skill is her strongest documented Soul Ring skill: a wide-area bombardment of controllable golden-red phoenix meteors. 130

• Targets multiple enemies individually rather than indiscriminately. 130
• Eliminates or overwhelms several opponents during the sparring match against Dai Yueheng’s team. 130
• Its control improves markedly after her Evil Fire is purified. 130

Combat Control

Ma Xiaotao demonstrates exceptional skill in rapidly switching among Soul Rings and selecting appropriate skills during battle. 121

• Overwhelms five remaining assassins after arriving to defend Gu Shengge. 120 121
• Can recover Soul Power mid-battle by drawing in ambient energy through her phoenix wings. 121
• Fights aggressively even when outnumbered, relying on speed, area attacks, and overwhelming firepower. 120 121

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Two leg Soul Bones — release golden-red jets of fire from her feet, dramatically increasing her burst movement speed. 120
• Communication Soul Tool — previously given to Gu Shengge; its Inner Court emergency signal summons Ma Xiaotao during the assassination attempt. 120

Relationships

• Gu Shengge — Junior she initially attacks while berserk; he becomes the person who purifies her Martial Soul. She offers him academy protection, gives him a communication Soul Tool, and personally responds to his emergency signal. 31 34 35 120 121
• Yan Shaozhe — Her teacher and Shrek Academy’s Martial Soul Department dean. He worries over her Evil Fire condition and arranges her treatment with Gu Shengge. 31 32 34
• Dai Yueheng — Fellow Soul Emperor and leadership rival. Ma Xiaotao defeats him during the team sparring match to assert her position as captain; she later beats him after the attack on Gu Shengge. 128 130 121
• Ling Luochen — Ice-attribute teammate with whom she has a poor relationship; their opposing attributes and personalities repeatedly create tension. 131
• Jiang Nannan — Rival for Gu Shengge’s attention. Jiang Nannan blocks Ma Xiaotao from taking him away, and Ma Xiaotao subsequently regards her unfavorably. 33 36
• Ma Hongjun — Ancestor from whom she inherited the Phoenix lineage and Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul. 34

Story Role / Major Arcs

Evil Fire Outbreak

Ma Xiaotao’s uncontrolled rampage is intercepted by Gu Shengge, whose Holy Purification reveals a potential cure for the corruption in her Martial Soul. The incident begins their ongoing arrangement for purification. 31 32 34

Purification and Recovery

Over several months of treatment, Ma Xiaotao’s Evil Fire becomes increasingly pure. She grows embarrassed by her involuntary reactions to the purification process but remains openly grateful to Gu Shengge and concerned for his safety. 35 36 45

Defense Against the Assassins

After Gu Shengge triggers the Inner Court emergency signal, Ma Xiaotao arrives to confront the assassins sent against him. She charges into the group alone, defeats the enemy Soul Emperor and Soul Kings with overwhelming force, and helps turn suspicion toward Dai Huabin. 120 121

Shrek Team Leadership

As a Level 69 Soul Emperor, Ma Xiaotao joins the team preparing for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament. She selects Gu Shengge and Gongyang Mo for her side, directs her team’s tactics, and defeats Dai Yueheng’s lineup in their first sparring match. 127 128 130

Supervisory Group Mission

Ma Xiaotao is entrusted with organizing the group’s travel arrangements for a Shrek Supervisory Group mission, reflecting Elder Xuan’s trust in her command ability. She carries Xiao Xiao while moving at high speed with the team. 134

Notable Quotes

“If I let even one of you go, I’m no longer the Lie Yan Madwoman Ma Xiaotao.” 120

“Isn’t Dai Yueheng dissatisfied with me returning to lead the team? Today, I’ll beat him until he accepts it.” 128

Trivia

• Ma Xiaotao was still under twenty years old when she reached Level 69. 127
• Her original Evil Fire Phoenix is explicitly described as both a blessing and a curse. 34
• Gu Shengge addresses her as “Sister Xiaotao.” 34 35