Antiquarian Lara McClintock is asked to purchase an antique silver box from the Tang Dynasty at a New York auction: according to rumors, the alchemical formula for immortality is engraved inside the box. However, suddenly the box disappears and reappears in Beijing, where serious criminal passions flare up around this ancient thing. Lara will have to go to the Celestial Empire and unravel the mystery of the ancient Chinese box...