Top 5 of Peerless Tang Clan's Ten Most Beautiful Women: Ma Xiaotao, Shrek's Big Sister

On the playground from ten thousand years ago, cries rose and fell one after another.

Countless girls covered their faces, their shoulders trembling as tears slipped through their fingers.

Ning Rongrong cried until her eyes were red and swollen, her voice choked with sobs. [Too cruel... She was such a good girl...]

Zhu Zhuqing said nothing. She merely clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms.

Oscar sighed and turned to Ma Hongjun. [Fatty, didn't you say she was cute?]

Ma Hongjun scratched his head, his eyes reddening as well. [I... I just thought that such a sunny girl, how could she...]

Dai Mubai said grimly, [The Holy Spirit Cult. It's the Holy Spirit Cult again.]

Tang San had remained silent all along, his gaze incomparably complicated.

The Tang Sect.

Tang Ya.

That name churned through his memories.

The images on the Sky Screen slowly faded, along with the bloody words.

[The tragedy of Tang Ya is heartbreaking]

[But life is not only darkness]

[Next]

[Let us turn our attention to another legendary woman]

[She is blazing fire]

[She is radiant light]

[She is the faith in countless hearts]

The crying on the playground gradually subsided.

Everyone raised their heads. Their eyes were still red, yet they could not help looking toward the Sky Screen.

Ning Rongrong sniffled. [Who... who else is there?]

Zhu Zhuqing wiped away her tears, her gaze becoming sharp once more.

Golden words continued to appear on the Sky Screen:

[Peerless Tang Clan's Ten Most Beautiful Women]

[Top 5: Ma Xiaotao]

[Identity: Senior student of Shrek Academy's Inner Court, leader of the Shrek Seven Devils]

[Martial Soul: Evil Fire Phoenix (top-tier beast martial soul)]

[Tags: Fiery big sister, big sister figure, both sisterly and motherly, fate full of hardships]

[Assessment: She is fire, warming countless people while burning herself]

The playground instantly erupted.

[Ma Xiaotao?!]

[The leader of the Shrek Seven Devils?!]

[Evil Fire Phoenix?! That's a top-tier martial soul!]

At Shrek Academy ten thousand years later, Huo Yuhao froze completely.

Wang Dong's hand was still covering his eyes. Upon hearing that name, she too went blank for a moment.

[Xiaotao...] Huo Yuhao's voice trembled.

[You know her?] Wang Dong asked curiously.

[She... she's the best senior sister I had at Shrek.] Huo Yuhao's voice carried complicated emotions.

Bei Bei stood not far away, his fists clenched as his eyes instantly reddened.

[Xiaotao...]

The image on the Sky Screen lit up.

Firelight.

Firelight soaring into the heavens.

A figure burst from the flames, her long hair flying as the Phoenix Cry Across the Nine Heavens rang out.

It was a woman.

She was tall, seemingly over 1.75 meters, with a voluptuous figure and astonishing curves.

Her wine-red hair cascaded around her like flames, the slightly curled ends tracing beautiful arcs through the air with her movements.

She had a classic oval face, with exquisite and striking features.

Her brows were brimming with heroic spirit, slightly raised and exuding sharpness.

Her eyes were a rare dark red, their upturned corners lending her sharp gaze a touch of gentleness.

Her nose was high and straight, her lips full and painted with a faint rose-colored gloss.

Most eye-catching of all was her aura—

Wild and flamboyant, yet carrying a warmth that put people at ease.

She wore a red combat outfit, a golden belt cinched around her waist and outlining her perfect curves.

Behind her, six soul rings slowly rose.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black.

A six-ringed Soul Emperor!

The playground from ten thousand years ago boiled over completely.

[A six-ringed Soul Emperor?! At such a young age?!]

[She looks barely over twenty!]

[A top-tier martial soul really is different!]

[She's so cool! So beautiful!]

Dai Mubai whistled. [That figure, that aura—absolutely incredible.]

Tang San frowned and shot him a glance.

Dai Mubai sheepishly fell silent.

Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled. [She's so beautiful! And she has such presence!]

Zhu Zhuqing rarely nodded. [She really is strong.]

The image continued.

Shrek Academy, Inner Court.

Ma Xiaotao stood before a group of new students, her arms folded as her gaze swept over every one of them.

[From today onward, you are the new students of Shrek Academy's Inner Court.]

Her voice was crisp and decisive, carrying unquestionable authority.

[Here, strength is king.]

[But at the same time, we are family.]

She suddenly smiled, a smile both flamboyant and warm, like fire itself.

[If anyone dares bully you, come find me.]

[I, Ma Xiaotao, have got your backs.]

The new students' eyes all lit up.

[Long live Sister Xiaotao!]

[Sister Xiaotao is the best!]

Ma Xiaotao waved her hand and turned away, her red hair swaying behind her.

On the playground from ten thousand years ago, countless people were stirred by her bold spirit.

[So domineering!]

[That's the bearing of a true big sister!]

[I want a senior sister like that too!]

Ning Rongrong clasped her hands together. [So cool!]

The scene shifted.

Nighttime, Shrek Academy's martial arts arena.

A frail youth lay on the ground, covered in injuries.

It was Huo Yuhao from ten thousand years later.

He looked eleven or twelve years old, his face pale and blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Several upperclassmen surrounded him, sneering repeatedly.

[Trash!]

[You don't even have one ring, and you dare come to Shrek?]

[Get lost and go home!]

Just then—

A streak of fire descended from the sky.

Ma Xiaotao landed before Huo Yuhao, shielding him.

She turned her head, her eyes cold as ice. [You want to touch my junior brother? Did you ask me first?]

Those students' expressions changed. [Sister Xiaotao...]

[Scram.]

One word, yet it carried overwhelming pressure.

Those people fled in disgrace.

Ma Xiaotao turned around and crouched down, her gaze instantly softening.

[Little guy, are you all right?]

She reached out and gently wiped the blood from the corner of Huo Yuhao's mouth, her movements tender as though she were caring for her own younger brother.

Huo Yuhao stared blankly at her, his eyes reddening.

[Senior sister...]

[Call me Sister Xiaotao.] Ma Xiaotao smiled, her smile bright and warm.

[From now on, at Shrek, if anyone dares bully you, just give them my name.]

[Sister Xiaotao has got your back.]

She stood and patted Huo Yuhao's head. [Come on, I'll take you to the infirmary.]

Huo Yuhao's nose stung, and tears nearly fell from his eyes.

On the playground from ten thousand years ago, countless people's eyes reddened.

Ning Rongrong covered her mouth. [So gentle...]

Zhu Zhuqing also revealed a rare smile. [Both sisterly and motherly.]

Oscar sighed. [Who wouldn't want a senior sister like that?]

Ma Hongjun nodded vigorously. [She's so warm!]

At Shrek ten thousand years later, Huo Yuhao was already crying uncontrollably.

[Sister Xiaotao...]

Wang Dong removed her hand and turned to look at him, her expression complicated.

Bei Bei turned away, his shoulders trembling slightly.

The image on the Sky Screen continued.

Cultivation room.

Ma Xiaotao sat cross-legged, six soul rings surrounding her.

Suddenly—

She opened her eyes, a flash of pain passing through them.

Red flames surged from within her body, growing increasingly violent.

[Ah—]

She let out a scream as flames engulfed her entire body.

The flames were a strange dark red, carrying an evil aura.

[The Evil Fire... It's acting up again...]

She gritted her teeth, her entire body trembling as sweat instantly soaked through her clothes.

[No... I can't lose control...]

[I can't... hurt everyone...]

She desperately suppressed it, her nails digging into her palms as blood dripped to the floor.

The image drew closer, her face filling the entire Sky Screen.

That once-beautiful face was now twisted, wracked by extreme pain.

Her eyes were full of struggle, tears sliding down mixed with sweat.

Most terrifying of all—

A crazed red glow began to surface in the depths of her eyes.

On the playground from ten thousand years ago, everyone held their breath.

[Evil Fire?]

[Is there something wrong with her martial soul?]

[No wonder the tags said her fate was full of hardships...]

Dai Mubai's expression was grave. [The Evil Fire Phoenix... a top-tier martial soul, but also a curse.]

Tang San said heavily, [The higher the cultivation of this martial soul, the more severe the backlash.]

Ning Rongrong covered her mouth. [Then she...]

The image continued.

Ma Xiaotao staggered out of the cultivation room and rushed straight for the icy lake outside the academy.

She plunged headfirst into the frigid water.

Sizzle—

Flames collided with the lake water, sending up thick clouds of steam.

The lake water boiled instantly.

Ma Xiaotao struggled painfully in the water, both hands clinging tightly to the rocks on the lakebed.

I can't lose control...

I can't...

She bit her lip until it bled.

Only after a long while did the flames finally subside.

She crawled out of the lake, drenched from head to toe, and lay on the shore, gasping for breath.

The night wind swept past, and she shuddered.

She raised her head, her eyes filled with exhaustion and despair.

How much longer... will I have to live like this...?

A line of text appeared on the Sky Screen:

[Ma Xiaotao: The Fate of the Evil Fire Phoenix]

[She was flame, bringing warmth to everyone]

[Yet no one could extinguish the Evil Fire within her]

[She protected everyone]

[Yet no one could protect her]

The playground from ten thousand years ago fell silent once more.

Ning Rongrong's eyes reddened again. "Why... why are all these girls suffering so much..."

Zhu Zhuqing clenched her fists. "The price of strength."

The scene shifted.

On the training ground, Ma Xiaotao was guiding Huo Yuhao in his cultivation.

"Yuhao, remember, Soul Power must circulate smoothly. You can't force it through."

She explained patiently, her gaze gentle.

Huo Yuhao listened attentively and nodded from time to time.

"Sister Xiaotao, you're so good to me, I..."

"Silly boy." Ma Xiaotao ruffled his hair, smiling brilliantly.

"You're my junior. It's only right that I look after you."

"When you grow stronger, remember to protect those weaker than you."

"Understand?"

Huo Yuhao nodded vigorously, his eyes shining.

Ma Xiaotao turned around and looked into the distance, a flicker of loneliness passing through her eyes.

"I hope all of you... can be well."

"Don't become like me..."

She did not finish, merely smiling.

That smile hid far too much helplessness.

At Shrek ten thousand years later, Huo Yuhao cried so hard he could not speak.

"Sister Xiaotao..."

Bei Bei walked over and patted his shoulder, his eyes red as well.

On the Sky Screen, the image froze on Ma Xiaotao's smile.

That smile was warm and radiant, yet carried an indescribable sorrow.

Words appeared:

[Ma Xiaotao: Shrek's Flame]

[She burned herself to light the way for others]

[But who will]

[Save this flame?]

The final line was especially glaring:

[And her fate]

[Was far more cruel]

[Than you can imagine]

Everyone on the playground felt their hearts tighten.

"What does that mean?"

"She... what happened to her later?"