Yuyuko was certain. It had to be Hu Tao thinking about her.
So, she sneezed.
In that case, she had to return quickly.
Yukari blinked, her expression speechless. Was that really the reason? More likely, Yuyuko simply didn't feel like staying any longer. And when it came to treating Hu Tao to food, wasn't Yuyuko actually the one eating? Just looking for an excuse to make Xiangling cook, huh?
Although Yukari felt quite speechless, she didn't call Yuyuko out on it.
They had been out long enough. It was time to return.
With that thought, Yukari packed all the ingredients they had collected into her gap.
Then she took Yuyuko and returned to Takumi's world.
Come to think of it, they hadn't run into Kazami Yuuka this time.
Ever since Yuuka entered Takumi's world, she'd completely disappeared from Gensokyo. Even in the Gensokyo group chat they built, she barely showed up. But her friend feed was activefilled with photos of various flora-based ingredients.
Apparently, she was also in the Gourmet World but no one knew exactly where.
Still, they hadn't come looking for her. Their goal was ingredient collecting, not socializing.
The two first teleported back to Totsuki Academy.
Upon arrival, Yukari was amazed by how busy the place was. This place was packed. A dense stream of vehicles headed toward Takumi's side of the world. Thankfully, the Gourmet City over there was spacious enough; otherwise, the traffic would overwhelm it.
It used to be even more hecticback when only one world had access to rare ingredients. Rumor had it traffic jams were daily occurrences.
Now that Takumi's side was cultivating many ingredients, things had calmed a bit. Most transported goods were likely just meat.
Takumi's domesticated animals still couldn't be hunted, only plants could be harvested.
Yuyuko and Yukari came mainly to obtain meat. Otherwise, they wouldn't have made the trip.
For Yuyuko, meat was the tastiest.
Yukari guided Yuyuko through the world transit gate back into Takumi's domain. Upon return, she opened a gap and both vanished.
People who saw this weren't surprised. It was common here for people to suddenly vanish. Before entering this world, normal folks might have been shocked. Now, they were desensitized.
This Gourmet City hosted countless warehouses and large markets further out. If Takumi visited today, he'd see signs like "Loki Market" or "Zeus Market."
Yes, gods were now running markets.
After their worlds merged with Takumi's, they dived into the food business.
It was just too profitable.
As for their old dungeon worlds? Not even dogs wanted to visit now.
There wasn't much left worth exploring.
Being a Gourmet Hunter not only strengthened oneself but also made good money. Ingredients were consumablesthe rarer, the more valuable.
Takumi's currency now had real value.
So naturally, the eyes of many god-families turned toward the Gourmet World.
Though Takumi's world had started cultivating food beasts, they still needed time to mature. No one was willing to risk catching wild beasts for now.
Why? It wasn't worth it.
You might catch a rare beast, only to have a machine-type being appear behind you and toss you into space.
It had already happened to several people.
Time flew.
Back at the Reincarnation Pool, Kanade had successfully transformed into an angel.
When she emerged, Takumi was already waiting.
She stepped out dazed, feeling immense power coursing through her.
Unbelievable.
Just a few days in the pool, and now she felt so strong.
"Congratulations!" Takumi smiled.
Hearing that, Kanade snapped back to her senses. "Thank you! I feel so powerful now!"
She clenched her fists, feeling entirely different from before.
"Of course. Angels are pretty awesome. But enough of thatI've already moved your world over. Want to go back and see it?"
Takumi chuckled, knowing full well that wasn't his main reason for coming.
He came to tell her the world had been transferred.
Upon hearing this, Kanade's eyes lit upthen quickly dimmed.
"I don't think I'll go back," she said.
There was nothing there for her anymore.
Her parents were gone.
Maybe she had distant relatives, but she barely knew them.
There was no point returning.
To them, she was already dead.
"Alright," Takumi nodded. "By the way, the rest of the people from your world have also been brought over. Want to see them?"
Seeing her expression, Takumi wisely changed the subject and mentioned her old companions.
Kanade's spirit lifted. "They're all here? They didn't reincarnate?"
They didn't find peace and move on?
"Yep. They've all come here. Some already started working. Come on, I'll take you. Nakamaru Yuri is learning some new stuff right now."
Takumi twitched at the mention of her name.
Hu Tao was seriously training Yuri as her disciple, teaching her all her signature skills.
Chapter 495: Are They Forming a Funeral Band?
When Tachibana Kanade heard Takumi mention the name Nakamura Yuri, she immediately grew curious.
It seemed like something had happened.
Without hesitation, she decided to go with Takumi to see for herself.
Seeing that Kanade had agreed, Takumi didn't hesitate either. He directly opened a gate to the Hall of Rebirth and led Kanade through it.
As soon as the spatial gate opened, Takumi was greeted by Hu Tao's energetic voice.
"Funerals are the final dignity for mortals.
So, we must treat them with sincerity. Every ritual, every burial method, has its own set of rules.
After a person passes away, regardless of their social status or wealth, we must treat everyone equally and give them a funeral that matches their identity.
This is the way of hospitality at the Hall of Rebirth.
You have a lot to learn.
If you can't meet my standards, I won't let you graduate.
Remember this clearly, okay?
I'm super strict.
After all, this concerns the reputation of our Hall of Rebirth.
We take money from the living to send the dead offthis is a responsibility doubled in weight.
In this world, death doesn't mean true death. The dead are still watching.
Our goal is to send them smoothly to the underworld, satisfying both the living and the dead.
So, study seriously from now on, understood?
Funeral rites are a profound discipline."
Hu Tao rambled on while instructing a group of young recruits in Hall of Rebirth uniforms.
The trainees listened intently.
Over the past few days, they had developed great respect for Hu Tao.
From her, they had learned many things.
This master of the Hall of Rebirth, who was about their ageor even youngerwas truly an extraordinary person.
At first, they were a bit reluctant to learn these things.
But then they rememberedthey were already dead.
So, there was really no reason to resist anymore.
Once their mindset shifted, they started studying diligently.
Perhaps because of their transformation into the Ghost Tribe, their memories and comprehension had improved significantly.
Their learning was twice as effective with half the effort.
They even learned some entirely new techniques.
Like how to perform exorcisms.
Though it felt a bit odd for ghosts to exorcise others.
They really wanted to complain about that!
But Hu Tao said it didn't mattershe was the authority in this field.
Whatever the Hall of Rebirth said, went.
So what else could they say?
Naturally, Takumi and Kanade's arrival drew everyone's attention.
"What brings you here?"
Seeing Takumi, Hu Tao paused her lecture.
Her gaze landed on Takumi and then quickly noticed Kanade.
The others also recognized the student council president.
"Ohhh! It's the Angel!!"
"President?!"
Everyone was delighted upon seeing Tachibana Kanade.
They quickly greeted her.
"Brought her to have a look," Takumi said, pointing at Kanade before stepping aside.
Hu Tao followed his gaze and looked at Kanade.
"Already reincarnated as an angel?"
That rich light-element aurashe had only seen it in angels.
Had Kanade completed her reincarnation?
"Mhm, she has," Takumi said with interest, looking at Kanade and the group of newly made Ghost Tribe members.
Holy Light Counter! Let's just hope Kanade doesn't suddenly blast everyone.
"Looks like you're all doing fine. That's good."
Kanade stared at everyone for a while before speaking.
"Hmph, we don't need your concern!!" Nakamura Yuri glared at Kanade.
Clearly, she still held grudges over the past.
"Mhm just live well from now on.
This world is dangerous, so I hope you all study hard."
She was the student council president, after all.
Urging people to study was part of her job.
Everyone looked at Kanade speechlessly.
She really was naggy, huh?
Was it necessary to say all that?
"You really became a true angel?"
Yuri looked at Kanade with a questioning gaze.
She could also feel that strong light element from Kanade.
She didn't like it.
No wonder they had never gotten alongthey were natural opposites.
They probably hated light-element types the most now.
Still how envious. This girl actually became a real angel.
Should she reincarnate as a demon?
Only then could she match this girl.
She became an angelso Yuri becoming a demon shouldn't be a problem, right?
If not a demon, maybe a fallen angel?
Oh yeah, fallen angel sounded better.
Can't be an angel? Then she'd be a fallen one!
"Mhm."
Kanade nodded confidently, admitting it without hesitation.
"So jealous!!
I want to be an angel too!!
How can we become true angels?
Is it still possible to reincarnate into one now?"
The group started talking all at once.
Was it still possible to reincarnate into angels at this point?
"That would require Lord Gabriel's permission."
Hearing this, Kanade shook her head.
She didn't have the authority to approve it.
Lord Gabriel had to be the one to decide.
"Gabriel?
That legendary archangel?
She's here too?
Have you seen God?
Is God really a girl?!"
Yui looked at Kanade with gleaming eyes.
Were these myths all real?
That's way too amazing!
Seeing Yui among the crowd, Takumi was confused.
Not only was Yui here, but so were Iwasawa Masami and her bandmates.
Was Hu Tao planning to debut them as a funeral band?
Shocking!
Takumi gave Hu Tao a strange look.
Noticing Takumi's gaze, Hu Tao looked puzzled.
"What is it?"
What's going on?
"Are you planning to have Iwasawa Masami and the others form a funeral band?
So trendy?"
Takumi voiced his suspicion.
Hu Tao blinked in confusion.
"What do you mean by that?
What's with Yui and the others?"
Takumi pointed to Iwasawa Masami, then to Hisako, Irie Miyuki, and Sekine Shiori.
"They're a band.
I thought you knew.
I figured you were planning to form a funeral performance group with them.
Like having live concerts at gravesites or somethingit actually sounds pretty cool."
...
Hu Tao fell into deep thought at Takumi's words.
That idea is brilliant!!
It might really work!
She hadn't realized just how talented some of these girls were.
The more she thought about it, the more promising it seemed.
Her own rap skills weren't bad either.
If they formed a band...!
Chapter 496: Performing a Concert at Someones Funeral
Hu Tao's interest was instantly piqued. The more she thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. Her eyes lit up as she looked at the group.
"This might really work! What a fantastic idea! Thank you for telling me! I've decidedI'm going to form a funeral band. I've even got the name ready: Alley Crew Dark Band!"
...
Upon hearing Hu Tao's declaration, Takumi fell silent.
You're seriously going through with this?
Now he was completely stunned.
Hu Tao's outburst naturally caught everyone's attention. Her voice wasn't exactly quiet. Even though Takumi and Hu Tao had given the others space, everyone heard her loud and clear.
Everyone was baffled by Hu Tao's sudden announcement.
A band?
Iwasawa Masami and the others felt a foreboding chill.
"Masami, Masami! I need to talk to you about something. You guys are a band, right? Let's get back together and add a new line of business. When we've got nothing to do, we can play some suona or something. If clients request it, we could perform a heartfelt concert right at their gravesite. Oh, and streaming is pretty popular nowwe can debut online too. Lumine is already handling that. She can coach us. She's a big influencer and can help us build an audience. It'll be a breeze to get famous. The more I think about it, the better it sounds. I'll get Xinyan to write a few songs."
...
Master Hu Tao was fired up.
Takumi watched the scene, falling deep into thought. After hearing everything Hu Tao said, everyone's faces began to twist. They wanted to laugh but didn't dare.
This eccentric Master Hu really had some wild ideas.
Holding concerts at funerals?
That was just beyond outrageous!
The more Hu Tao talked, the more absurd it sounded. Could they even say no? Unfortunately, Hu Tao was their superior. Despite their reluctance, they couldn't refuse. They still needed to earn a living.
Takumi watched in silence, lips twitching slightly. But he said nothing. If Hu Tao really wanted to do it, then let her.
After all, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was hers. Who knowsshe might actually form a top-tier band.
Seeing the others wanting to speak but holding back, Takumi felt secretly amused.
Having a boss like Hu Tao must be quite the headache.
Kanade Tachibana also smiled slightly at the scene. No one was paying her any attention anymore. Everyone was busy talking with Hu Tao.
She turned to Takumi.
Noticing this, Takumi didn't linger. Silently, he led Kanade away.
Back at Takumi's home, Kanade finally spoke.
"Thank you. I'll be studying diligently at the Angel Academy in the Celestial Realm from now on."
She spoke with great seriousness. Now that she had reincarnated as an angel, she needed to dedicate herself to study.
"Good. If you have any problems in the Celestial Realm, just look for Gabriel. Also, there are two angels there you can befriend."
Takumi introduced Konno Cottonwood and Mayumi to her, and had Prometheus help them add each other as friends.
That way, Kanade would have some support after arriving.
