When Bai Yao, a white lion cub, is born, his pure white fur sparks rumors and fear. His uncle, Hei Kui, suddenly returns after years away. Though outwardly kind, he covets the territory. During a buffalo hunt, he betrays his older brother, Chi Lie. After killing Chi Lie, he seizes the territory, imprisons Lan Yin and Zhu Feng, and hunts the young Bai Yao. Bai Yao narrowly escapes death and wanders alone across a perilous wilderness, suffering hunger and injuries and nearly dying at the paws of wild dogs and from drought. He saves a little squirrel named Tiao Dou and later meets Yue Xi, a wandering lioness. The lion cub, squirrel, and lioness rely on one another to survive. To grow stronger and rescue his family, they journey north and discover the legendary White Lion Valley.