Fang Shih Yu becomes frustrated immediately as Shaolin methods of teaching martial arts are rather obscure, although Ma Chao-hsing begins learning the five animal styles from the start.

Elsewhere, escaped Ming soldiers Tsai Te-cheng, Hu Te-ti, Yen Yung-chun, and Ma Fu Yi arrive close to Shaolin looking for a place to hide from the Qing.

All the accepted students become close friends and proficient in their kung fu, except for Fang Shih Yu (who is unknowingly learning tiger boxing but is impatient).

A mysterious figure at night begins teaching Fang Shih Yu the tiger-crane style and he defeats Ma Fu Yi in a friendly spar.

Shaolin Temple was the first film made by director Chang Cheh about the destruction of the Henan monastery without the action choreographer Lau Kar-leung.