In the year 3401 of the Grand Xia calendar, the Tortoise kingdom suffered a devastating defeat. The royal family was captured, and the once-mighty realm was left with only a single stronghold: a dilapidated temple, guarded by one lone defender. This guardian, a blind monk named Jiahao, was revered throughout the land as the mightiest warrior. Both friend and foe held him in awe. Amid the chaos of battle, the desperate cries of an infant echoed through the temple grounds. General Tie Shan, leading the attacking forces, called out to Jiahao, demanding his surrender and promising to spare the child’s life if he complied.

Seventeen years later, in 3418, the former capital of the Tortoise clan, Dicheng, had become the new seat of power for the Qilin Empire. The old temple, once a bastion of hope and resistance, now sheltered an unusual pair. Jiahao, still the blind guardian, patiently guided a cheerful young man named Dabao. Dabao, who bore a resemblance to a steamed bun and was often considered simple-minded, was in fact the youngest descendant of the Tortoise royal lineage. Though his intellect was questioned, Dabao possessed an exceptionally pure bloodline and rare talents. Remarkably, he had received the acknowledgement of the earth relic, a sacred artifact now held by the Qilin clan. Isolated from his family, Dabao grew up as a prisoner, finding companionship only in his mentor Jiahao.