Yao Ya is born from a black stone cocoon during a severe drought on the grassland. Driven out by the elephant herd and despised by the lion pride, he relies on his wisdom to find underground water sources, leading the elephant, wild dog, and hyena tribes to jointly build Crescent Spring. When the lion pride occupies the spring, instead of taking it by force, he digs out three new springs overnight. As a prairie fire scorches the mountains, he is the first to rush into the sea of fire to rescue the lion cubs; when a flash flood strikes, he risks his life to save the trapped lion king. When the rainy season returns, the four tribes establish four water rules: cubs have priority, drinking is rotated, hunting is banned near the spring, and it is shared during the dry season. He refuses to become king, choosing only to be the guardian of the spring—ensuring all cubs can drink water.