Early 20th century. Huo Yuanjia dreams of following in the footsteps of his father, becoming a world-class fighter. He's blinded by his desire to become the greatest and raise the prestige of his house. Having won many battles, he reaches the goal, but it does not bring happiness to him, and moreover a terrible tragedy happens - his family dies. Overridden by the grief that has befallen on him, he is aimlessly going somewhere. Huo gets refuge in a small village to live and work together with peasants. And that is where he reaches the understanding of the true purpose of martial arts. He returns home and opens his own school. He has more and more students, his teaching is getting more and more supporters. And now he has a chance to defend the honor of his school and the country as a whole on the arena of a major international championship...