In the 1980s in northwest China, after the death of his father, Lu Changfeng had his family property usurped by his uncle's family. Forced to sever family ties and leave home with his mother Shen Guizhi and younger sister Lu Xiaoman, he only saved the old camel Lao Jin left by his father. Unexpectedly awakening the supernatural ability to divine animals, Lao Jin speaks up to help. Supported by his childhood sweetheart Su Xing, Lu Changfeng ventures deep into the desert to mine desert goods, uniting with night hawks and long-eared jerboas to search for water sources. His cousin Lu Yaozu and unscrupulous merchant Luo Wanshan continually scheme to obstruct him. Lu Changfeng forms a camel caravan, leading the villagers to plant trees to control sand and transform the wasteland.