Qin Jin, a mine slave, is framed by his sect for stealing the Ancestral Dragon's Remains. As he faces execution, he awakens the power of the dragon and escapes with his life. He vows to rescue his deceased mother and obtain justice. Joining forces with Shen Qingtang, who is controlled by black nails, and fellow mine slave Lao Mo, he uncovers the Xuantian Sect's conspiracy to extract earth fire using black chains and enslave cultivators. Along the way, Qin Jin rescues captives, breaks formations, and defeats Gu Changyuan, Lei Su, and the Faceless Heavenly Lord. He severs the chains and destroys the central formation. When the Nine Meridians blaze anew, he and his companions set out for the next mountain to continue freeing those trapped there.