In 1998, the northwestern Gobi Desert is hit by extreme heat, and the mining area's water supply is seized by the local bully, Qian Biao. Lu Yan, the male lead, is framed and exiled to the perilous Devil's City. As a top desert survival expert, he uses his exceptional skills to discover an underground river and a saltpeter mine, builds a temperature-controlled stone fortress, and hunts down a 600-jin Gobi giant bear. Returning with water and meat, he breaks Qian Biao's monopoly. Lu Yan then refines pure salt to control the mining area's lifeline and joins forces with geological engineer Su Manya to win people's support. After repeatedly defeating local criminal forces and desert bandits, he builds an industry based on the Gobi's resources, gradually overthrows the old order, and creates his own oasis empire in the unforgiving desert.