The narrative draws on traditional Chinese folklore concerning a boy named Chenxiang. His mother is a goddess, while his father is a mortal. His uncle, Erlang Shen, punishes the family by killing the father. The mother escapes and gives birth, but the young boy grows up unaware of his lineage. His mother owns a magical Lotus Lantern, the light of which can frighten away evil. When his uncle, a strict and powerful deity, kidnaps Chenxiang, his mother fights to rescue her son. Unfortunately, his uncle prevails, and Chenxiang is compelled to reside in his palace on the sacred mountains. Erlang Shen subsequently imprisons his sister beneath a mountain for her transgressions. Despite his youth, Chenxiang manages to flee the palace, seizing the magical lotus lantern that his mother lost during the conflict. After surviving adventures alongside many beloved figures from Chinese mythology, Chenxiang eventually matures into a courageous boy who must battle his uncle to secure his mother's freedom, all while falling in love.