From the primordial chaos, a mystical Chaos Pearl emerges, consuming energy with insatiable hunger. Recognizing the growing danger, Yuanshi Tianzun sends his disciples, Taiyi Zhenren and Shen Gongbao, to subdue the pearl. However, its overwhelming power makes it impossible to control, forcing Tianzun to intervene. He splits the Chaos Pearl into two distinct entities: the Spirit Pearl, representing purity, and the Demon Orb, imbued with darkness. To prevent catastrophe, Tianzun casts a divine curse upon the Demon Orb, decreeing that it will be obliterated by a celestial lightning strike in three years. To counterbalance this curse, he orders Taiyi to take the Spirit Pearl and arrange its reincarnation as the third son of Li Jing, a nobleman in Chentangguan. The child is to be named Ne Zha, destined for greatness.
Shen Gongbao, harboring his own ambitions, conspires to steal the Spirit Pearl and replace it with the Demon Orb. His interference causes Li Jing’s wife, Lady Yin, to unknowingly give birth to a child infused with demonic energy. As the child grows, his demonic nature manifests, shocking his family and their community. Taiyi, realizing what has transpired, informs the devastated parents that Ne Zha is doomed to perish in three years under the divine curse. Desperate, Li Jing journeys to Heaven with Taiyi to plead for his son’s life, only to be told that the curse is absolute and cannot be undone.
Meanwhile, Shen delivers the stolen Spirit Pearl to the Dragon King, ruler of the underwater realm. The Dragon King, embittered by the celestial order that condemns his kind to servitude beneath the ocean, sees this as an opportunity for liberation. He infuses the Spirit Pearl into an egg, birthing his son, Ao Bing. With Shen as his mentor, Ao Bing is raised with the hope that his divine origins will elevate dragonkind in the eyes of Heaven and finally grant them their long-sought freedom.
To shield Ne Zha from despair and to curb his destructive instincts, Li Jing and Lady Yin deceive him, telling him that he was born from the Spirit Pearl and is destined to be a noble demon hunter. Under Taiyi’s guidance, Ne Zha hones his combat skills and supernatural abilities. However, restless and eager for real battles, he ventures beyond his home, disobeying his masters. In his reckless pursuit of a water demon, he inadvertently sets fire to a fishing village. The chaos attracts Ao Bing, who intervenes in the fight. Though initially adversaries, Ne Zha manages to subdue the demon and rescue a young girl, earning Ao Bing’s admiration. The two form a reluctant friendship, though Ne Zha remains an outcast among the townspeople, who fear and resent his destructive tendencies. Frustrated by their rejection, he lashes out, injuring many.
In an effort to integrate their son into society, the Li family arranges an extravagant birthday celebration, inviting the wary villagers. On the eve of the event, Shen secretly approaches Ne Zha and reveals the truth about his origins. Enraged and betrayed, Ne Zha’s demonic instincts take control. He unleashes his true form in a violent outburst, nearly killing his father before Ao Bing intervenes. Overcome with sorrow and anger, Ne Zha isolates himself, resigned to his cursed fate.
Meanwhile, Li Jing discovers that Ao Bing possesses the Spirit Pearl. Knowing that revealing this truth to Tianzun would lead to dire consequences for all of dragonkind, Ao Bing wrestles with his loyalty to his people and his friendship with Ne Zha. Ultimately, Shen persuades him to eliminate all witnesses, convincing him to entomb the entire town under a massive glacial structure.
While Ne Zha processes his turmoil, he learns of his father’s secret sacrifice. During his desperate plea to Heaven, Li Jing accepted a celestial enchantment that would allow him to exchange his life for Ne Zha’s, an act of ultimate love and devotion. Overcome with emotion, Ne Zha finds renewed purpose. He returns to Chentangguan, determined to stop Ao Bing and save the villagers. In their climactic battle, Ne Zha embraces his demonic power, fully unleashing his potential. He overpowers Ao Bing but chooses mercy, sparing his friend’s life in recognition of their bond.
As the fated lightning strike descends from the heavens, Ne Zha refuses to flee, prepared to accept his end. Unexpectedly, Ao Bing joins him, standing by his side. Together, they harness the latent power of the Chaos Pearl to absorb the devastating energy of the divine punishment. Their mortal bodies, however, prove too fragile to withstand the celestial force. With Taiyi’s intervention, their spirits survive, transcending into a higher form. The people of Chentangguan, once fearful of Ne Zha, kneel before them in reverence.
In the aftermath, the Dragon King, furious over what transpired, vows retribution against Chentangguan for the fate of his son. Meanwhile, in an unknown realm, the celestial sage Jiang Ziya makes his first appearance, hinting at greater conflicts yet to come.
