Amid the roaring chorus, Fang Cheng and Sato Hayato followed a group of cultists to the main entrance of the basketball court.
Seven or eight armed cultists stood guard at the entrance. Each was powerfully built, and they watched every cultist who entered with wary eyes.
Fang Cheng and Sato Hayato crept along at the back of the group. They were just about to slip inside when the words they least wanted to hear rang out.
"Hold it. Which congregation are you two from?"
A muscular arm blocked their way. Its owner eyed Fang Cheng and Sato Hayato suspiciously. "I've never seen you two before. Who's your group leader?"
It was no wonder they drew suspicion. They were simply too young, completely out of place among the cultists, most of whom were middle-aged or even elderly.
Sato Hayato was so nervous that his whole body had stiffened. He couldn't answer.
Fang Cheng, however, replied with a smile. "We just got here. Our group leader went in ahead of us. If you don't believe me, go ask inside."
The armed cultist's expression turned cold. "Cut the crap. I asked who your group leader is. Tell me his name."
Fang Cheng kept smiling, about to make up an excuse to get them out of trouble, when a faint cry from a young girl slipped through the chorus inside.
Sato Hayato's sister-brother radar went off. He recognized his younger sister's voice instantly.
"Mai! That's Mai's voice! She's in there!"
His face changed, and he shouted before making a dash for the entrance.
"Something's wrong! Close the gates!"
The armed cultist in front of them reacted quickly. He shouted and lunged at Fang Cheng, intending to subdue him.
The seven or eight armed cultists behind him rushed to close the entrance gates, then drew