Ma Xiaotao

Biodata

Background / History

Ma Xiaotao is familiar with Gao Ren’s family through the Shrek cafeteria. She met his uncle, head cook Gao Wei, at an academy eating contest in her first year. After placing second that year, she won the contest every year from her second year onward 9.

When Gao Ren begins selling Overlord Drumsticks, Xiaotao buys twenty in one visit and teases him about their connection through their teachers. Gao Ren knows her well but is wary of being alone with her: if her Evil Fire overwhelms her, she can lose the ability to distinguish friend from foe 9 10.

That danger surfaces while they run beside Sea God Lake. Xuan Zi detects the start of an outbreak and kicks Xiaotao into the lake; the cold water brings her back to her senses. She protests the painful intervention but says she would rather be hurt herself than have Gao Ren harmed 11.

Xuan Zi subsequently arranges for Xiaotao to drink Gao Ren’s Immortal’s Drunk. Over the following six months, her increased spiritual power improves her control of fire and stabilizes her Evil Fire, although her Soul Power cultivation advances little 12. Later, Gao Ren’s Pure World Overlord’s Leg purifies the Evil Fire in her body and leaves her feeling healthier than she has in years. Xuan Zi finds that the Evil Fire within her Martial Soul remains, temporarily suppressed rather than removed 19 20.

Appearance

Xiaotao is described as a tall, well-proportioned young woman of about fifteen or sixteen 9.

• Her striking curves draw attention when she enters the cafeteria 9.
• She manifests phoenix wings when she flies away after being teased 20.

Personality

Xiaotao is playful and assertive with Gao Ren, pressing him for more drumsticks and calling him “Little Ren.” Beneath the fiery reputation that makes him cautious around her, she is protective and attentive: when he returns exhausted from the Star Dou Great Forest, she makes him egg custard, feeds him, and scolds him for overworking himself 9 10 11 19.

Abilities & Skills

Evil Fire Phoenix

• Xiaotao’s Martial Soul can make her stronger when its Evil Fire flares, but a prolonged outbreak causes her to lose her reason and her ability to tell friend from foe 10 20.
• Outbreaks become faster and more dangerous as her cultivation rises. Cultivating also strengthens the Evil Fire, leading Yan Shaozhe to restrict her training while she is suppressing it 11 12.
• Immortal’s Drunk strengthens her spiritual power, giving her better fire control and more time to remain lucid during a flare-up 12.
• Gao Ren’s Pure World Overlord’s Leg clears the Evil Fire from her body, but does not permanently remove it from the Martial Soul 19 20.

Relationships

• Gao Ren — A younger acquaintance she teases and looks after. She cares for him during his recovery, then celebrates the relief his Soul Skill gives her 9 19 20.
• Yan Shaozhe — Her teacher, who prioritizes her health over rapid cultivation 12.
• Xuan Zi — Intervenes when her Evil Fire begins to flare and devises the plan to strengthen her spiritual control with Gao Ren’s wine 11 12.
• Gao Wei — Has known her since her first year at Shrek and has cooked special meals for her 9 20.
• Ling Luochen — Her ice-aligned classmate; the two do not get along 10.

Notable Quotes

“Then I’d rather get hurt. Little A-Ren is so cute. I wouldn’t want him getting hurt.” 11

“I’m better! I’m really better! For the first time, I feel like a normal Soul Master!” 20