The Old Summer Palace faced destruction and plundering at the hands of a combined Anglo-French expedition during the Second Opium War, leading to the theft of numerous precious artifacts, including the twelve bronze heads representing the Chinese zodiac. In modern times, these iconic bronze heads, secured by the MP Corporation, become the focal point of an intense auction. JC, portrayed by Jackie Chan, takes on the mission from MP to locate the remaining lost bronze heads, with the promise of a $10 million bonus if he succeeds in retrieving them all, particularly the prized Dragon head.
To start his quest, JC pretends to be a reporter named Martin from National Geographic, seeking insight from Professor Guan, played by Wang Qingxiang, who has crafted twelve identical replicas of the heads for research. Utilizing specialized gloves, JC scans the original heads to ensure his organization can produce incredibly lifelike models. His next move is to travel to Paris in search of a woman named Coco, portrayed by Yao Xingtong, who may have vital information regarding the whereabouts of two of the bronze heads.
During his investigation, JC and his associates infiltrate a lavish mansion, where they uncover a top-secret vault protected by a complex security system. There, he successfully retrieves the two bronze heads, alongside a valuable painting called The Roses and other artifacts previously considered lost. However, their escape is thwarted when their actions trigger an alarm, forcing JC to instruct Coco to meet him at a boathouse while he makes a hasty exit.
At the boathouse, JC reveals to Coco his true mission — working for a clandestine organization with the aim of recovering relics for China. However, chaos ensues when guards from the mansion confront them, only to be interrupted by the arrival of the police. Fortunately, JC, Coco, and Simon (played by Kwon Sang-woo) are cleared of any suspicion and released. Shortly after, they receive a peculiar invitation to a castle owned by Catherine, played by Laura Weissbecker, unaware that the mansion's guards are still pursuing them.
As fate would have it, it’s revealed that the captain of the Indestructible, a ship involved in the destruction of the Old Summer Palace, is Catherine's great-great-grandfather, which strains her relationship with Coco. Amid their endeavors, JC and the crew uncover various treasures inside the castle, including the bronze head of the Rooster, while plotting their next steps for securing the artifacts.
Determined to help Catherine locate her ancestor's remains, JC leads the team on an expedition to an uninhabited island purported to house treasures from the Indestructible. Although he advises Coco and Catherine to stay behind, both disobey and join him. Their adventurous spirit soon lands them in trouble when they find themselves tangled in the foliage, necessitating JC’s timely rescue. Remarkably, they unearth not just the remains of Catherine’s ancestor, but also the remains of the Indestructible, several more bronze heads, and an impressive cache of gold.
Just as they gather their findings, they are confronted by the guards from the mansion, only to be unexpectedly ambushed by a group of local pirates. A series of intense confrontations lead to their escape on a log equipped with a pulley system, while the guards remain ensnared in the pirates’ clutches. Back on the yacht, Coco uncovers the real reason behind JC’s mission and questions his principles, while a harrowing situation results in the sinking of a log laden with about eight tonnes of gold.
Regardless, JC and his team are applauded for recovering certain bronze heads. Disappointment ensues when they discover that the long-lost Dragon head had been in the possession of MP Corp all along, eliminating their potential to earn the sizable bonus. Tensions rise as Coco’s student group escalates protests over the auction of these national treasures, leading to chaos that captures global attention, especially after several students, including Coco’s younger brother, go missing.
Upon Coco reaching out to JC for assistance, he gains access to MP Corp’s secretive facilities, providing him with insight into the unauthorized duplication of the artifacts. In a climactic moment, he faces off against an old adversary, Vulture, performed by Alaa Safi, resulting in a tense standoff that ends without clear resolution.
In negotiations with MP Corp, JC proposes to sell The Roses at a reduced price to secure the release of the kidnapped students. However, as negotiations stall, a catastrophic furnace explosion occurs, igniting chaos within the facility and destroying much of it. In a daring exchange, JC finally secures the hostages' freedom in return for the painting while opting not to compensate for the damages incurred.
Amid growing public sentiment against the upcoming sale of the Dragon bronze head, MP Corp resorts to drastic measures, threatening to dispose of the artifact in a volcano unless bids are received, dubbing the operation Let the Dragon Fly. When the deadline arrives with no bidders, Vulture descends with companions to execute the plan. In an electrifying airborne rescue attempt, JC bravely intervenes but sustains injuries amidst the chaotic scramble. A moment of unexpected sportsmanship emerges as Vulture hands over the coveted Dragon head to JC as an act of respect.
The aftermath reveals the arrest of MP Corp's leaders for possessing the stolen painting. Meanwhile, JC recuperates in a hospital, reconnecting with acquaintances including Vulture and sharing a tender reunion with his wife, who visits him, thus bringing a dramatic journey full of action, intrigue, and the indomitable spirit of seeking lost treasures to a heartfelt conclusion.
