The film sees Chan playing two roles. One is as the modern-day Jack, an archaeologist and journalist seeking more information about a myth regarding an ancient emperor and the notion that he commanded an ability to levitate. Jack has also been having strange dreams of late involving a beautiful princess named Ok-soo (Hee-seon, Bichunmoo) and a general that looks remarkably like him, Meng-yi. In the historical past, Ok-soo was a princess destined to become a concubine in the dying Emperor's "harem", but tradition has it that concubines are to be entombed with those they serve. Meng-yi is a loyal subject to his emperor, always following orders, despite his feelings of love that eventually overwhelm him for Ok-soo, who has been imploring him to run away together. A pill of immortality would save both the Emperor and Ok-soo, but varying factions aren't willing to allow the process to take place, causing great danger to all involved. Meanwhile, back in the present day, Jack begins to get close to the source of this myth, while a greedy entrepreneur hopes to gain the riches and glory of the ultimate find.