After taking incense ash from the burner before the shrine in the gatehouse and lightly tossing it over their left shoulders, the young wizards of Astronomy Class 08-1 were able to pass through the arched stone gate in order and enter the Hundred Herbs Garden.
The scenery in the garden had remained unchanged for ten thousand years.
Brilliant sunlight lay to the left, while mist shrouded the right. Magic had carved the whole world into bizarre, fantastical patches: a different climate every five steps, a different environment every ten. Occasionally, a rabbit with legs would race past them, and from time to time they could see earth dragons swimming beneath the ground, heaving up ridges of soil in their wake.
Professor Li walked at the head of the group with a palm-sized Dew Collection Plate in hand. As he led the way, he gave the students a brief introduction to all sorts of knowledge concerning White Dew. His voice was as gentle as ever, yet entirely unaffected by the surroundings; everyone could hear him clearly.
"Autumn belongs to metal, and metal's color is white. At this season, mist condenses upon the grasses and trees, moisture gathers without flowing, and Yin energy grows heavier. Thus dew congeals and turns white—this is known as White Dew."
"The ancients said, 'During White Dew, do not bare your body.' This was because Yin energy gradually intensifies during the White Dew season. Summer's heat retreats, autumn's chill arrives, and exposing one's body easily invites the invasion of cold energy... Here, 'bare your body' means exactly what it says: exposing your bare skin. So, if any of you enjoy swimming in Linzhong Lake during the summer, be sure to take every kind of precaution before entering the water at this time of year..."
At that, Fatty