Ma Xiaotao

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Ma Xiaotao inherited the Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul from her ancestor, Ma Hongjun. Its exceptional offensive power came with an evil nature that could make its flames uncontrollable. As a child, she could suppress the Evil Fire with her own Soul Power, but controlling it became increasingly difficult as both she and her Martial Soul grew stronger 153.

At Shrek Academy, she studied under Yan Shaozhe and became one of the Inner Court's strongest students. Gu Qingnian initially placed her among its top ten; a later assessment described her as ranking among the top three. Her Evil Fire nevertheless restricted her cultivation, leaving her dependent on methods that could suppress its outbreaks 21 31 110 154.

Appearance

Ma Xiaotao has red hair, pale-pink eyes, and a slender, well-proportioned figure. Her usual cold gaze contrasts with the striking appearance of her eyes 21 30.

• Red clothing and veil: Initially appears dressed in red with a veil concealing most of her face 30 35.
• Long-legged build: Stands 1.8 meters tall, with legs described as nearly 1.2 meters long 152.
• Inner Court uniform: Wears the blood-red uniform identifying Shrek's Inner Court students; later gathers her long hair into a tidy ponytail 196.
• Evil Fire symptoms: During a severe outbreak, her eyes become predominantly red and her face flushes. Her eyes return to pale pink after suppression 150 154.
• Phoenix manifestation: Fiery feathers and translucent, fiery-red wings appear when she releases her power 161 200.

Personality

Ma Xiaotao is proud, competitive, and quick to act. When Gu Qingnian withstands her Martial Soul pressure, she increases it rather than immediately backing down. Her determination to locate an ice-attribute Soul Master also leads her to threaten and attack younger students in an attempt to force their supposed protector to appear 31 35 36.

She is equally decisive when protecting others. During Gu Qingnian's abduction, she rescues Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, pursues a much larger enemy force, and repeatedly offers to cover Gu Qingnian's retreat. Around Gu Qingnian, her usual confidence gives way to embarrassment and uncertainty about their relationship 120 121 167 172.

Her response to Evil Soul Masters is particularly severe. While explaining Blood Infant Douluo's crimes, she expresses disgust, anger, and some fear; she regards rapidly eliminating such threats as a central responsibility of the Shrek Watchers 211 212.

Abilities & Skills

Evil Fire Phoenix

Her inherited beast Martial Soul produces exceptionally powerful Phoenix Flame. Despite possessing properties associated with ultimate fire, it has not yet attained a true ultimate attribute during the cave treatment 110 153 154.

• Offensive pressure: Its heat dissolves Gu Qingnian's incoming slashing attack before it reaches her 36.
• Battlefield coverage: Her flames allow her to attack across a substantial area during the bandit-cave assault 217.
• Precise heat control: Softens unusually tough whale rubber and heats several cooking pots simultaneously with steady control 157 158.
• Phoenix Meteor Shower: Releases a flame-based attack against Bei Bei and Huo Yuhao during the main-selection team's sparring match 205.

Phoenix Flight and Soul Skills

Her Martial Soul manifests wings that support rapid aerial movement and diving attacks 36 120 205.

• Second Soul Skill — Bathing Fire Phoenix: Activated alongside her third skill during the pursuit of Gu Qingnian's abductors 120.
• Third Soul Skill — Phoenix Wings Soaring: Helps propel her through the air like a flaming meteor 120.
• Pursuit limit: Even with both skills active, she catches only the six rear attackers; the two leading Soul Saints initially escape her reach 120.

Evil Fire: Drawbacks and Suppression

The evil nature within her Martial Soul strengthens its flames but can overwhelm her control. During an outbreak, she attacks mindlessly, neglects defense, and reacts sluggishly to incoming strikes 36 153.

• Increasing cultivation burden: Greater strength also increases the Evil Fire's power, making self-suppression progressively harder 153.
• Ultimate Ice counter: Gu Qingnian's Ice Empress Martial Soul and Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion Torso Bone suppress her flames and restore her clarity 152 154.
• Long-term relief, not confirmed permanent purification: The cave treatment deeply suppresses the Evil Fire and improves her Martial Soul, but does not complete its evolution 154 166 170.
• Other remedies discussed: The cockscomb phoenix sunflower, infernal delicate apricot's blazing gel, and Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent's inner core are identified as possible remedies. The supplied chapters do not show her obtaining them 153.

Combat Limitations

• Mental vulnerability: She is not a mental-power specialist. Gu Qingnian's Chaos Divine Mill nearly destroys her mind and soul during their confrontation 36.
• Attribute disadvantage: His Ultimate Ice extinguishes her Phoenix Meteor Shower during sparring 205.
• Numerical and rank disadvantage: The narration judges that she cannot defeat two Soul Saints, two Soul Emperors, and four Soul Kings alone; her pursuit is intended to delay them until reinforcements arrive 120.

Equipment / Items

• Red veil: Usually conceals her face; destroyed by the flames during her severe outbreak near Shrek's gates 30 150.
• Watcher's Ring and mission gear: Briefs the students on the rings before departure and changes into Watcher gear for the bandit-cave operation 210 216.

Relationships

• Gu Qingnian — Initially an adversary, later her Evil Fire suppressor and romantic interest. She seeks him after Yan Shaozhe confirms his Ultimate Ice attribute, and he eventually promises to take responsibility for her. She remains uncertain about whether they are formally a couple 36 117 164 167.
• Yan Shaozhe — Her teacher and protective mentor. Investigates ways to control her Martial Soul, arranges Gu Qingnian's assistance, and closely examines her condition after their return 21 117 151 170.
• Xu Sanshi — A junior who calls her “Sister Xiaotao” and treats her with considerable apprehension. She entrusts him with protecting Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong before pursuing their attackers 30 35 120.
• Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong — Younger students she previously endangered during an outbreak. She later catches them before they fall to the ground during the abduction incident 35 120.
• Ling Luochen — Fellow main-selection teammate. Ling Luochen privately resents her pride and regards her as the teammate she dislikes most 196.
• Gongyang Mo — Teammate who familiarly calls her “Taotao.” She rejects his attempted hug and later orders him to remain five meters away 196 199.
• Dai Yueheng — Fellow Power Attack System Soul Emperor and opposing team leader in Xuan Zi's first friendly match 198 199.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Search for the Ice-Attribute Soul Master

• After an earlier outbreak nearly harms Gu Qingnian, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong, Ma Xiaotao discovers that an unusually pure ice ability has suppressed her Evil Fire 21 35.
• She questions the three at Sea God Lake, then attacks to draw out their supposed protector. Gu Qingnian defeats her with the Chaos Divine Mill and an eight-thousand-jin palm strike 35 36.
• Yan Shaozhe later confirms that Gu Qingnian possesses the Ultimate Ice attribute she needs 117.

Gu Qingnian's Abduction

• Rescues Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, then pursues the eight attackers without waiting for reinforcements 120.
• Offers to hold off the enemies while Gu Qingnian escapes. After he uses his freezing domain, she catches him and follows his advice not to pursue the survivors recklessly 121 122.

Cave Treatment and Return to Shrek

• Goes missing while searching for Gu Qingnian and returns toward the academy with her Evil Fire on the verge of erupting 148 149 151.
• Receives treatment from Gu Qingnian in a secluded cave, gaining sustained relief and later achieving a cultivation breakthrough 152 154 161.
• Returns to Shrek with him. Yan Shaozhe's examination confirms deep suppression of the Evil Fire and signs of possible Martial Soul evolution 168 170.

Main-Selection Sparring

• Chooses Gu Qingnian for her team despite Xuan Zi's roster penalty, resulting in a four-against-ten matchup 199.
• Leads the seven main-selection members against the Reserve Team in the second match. Gu Qingnian, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong's fusion skill defeats her side 204 206.
• Honors the losing team's wager by declaring, “I'm a pig,” before preparations begin for departure to Star Luo City 207.

Watcher Mission and Tournament Preparations

• Briefs the students on the Death Messengers mission and leads the main team's assault on the bandits' cave 210 216 217.
• Heeds Gu Qingnian's warning to avoid corpses, positioning herself near the outer edge before the Death Messenger triggers corpse explosions. His icy protection helps her resist the blast 218.
• Remains with Shrek's depleted tournament delegation in Star Luo City. Later, Wang Yan determines that she and the other senior members must take the field against a stronger opponent 224 230 246.

Notable Quotes

“You go first. I'll cover your retreat!” 121

“Inner Court, Ma Xiaotao. Level sixty-nine Power Attack System Battle Soul Emperor.” 198

“Martial souls themselves are neither good nor evil. But when a martial soul capable of cultivation requires certain special methods to cultivate, then it must be evil.” 211