Decoys

They have not mentioned what went on back at the cave yet.

How could Si Lan tell that Dai Chen had advanced with GREAT difficulty?

Just because he didn't come out sooner than planned?

But wouldn't that be expected since he's already considered at a high cultivation rank. The higher a cultivator advances, the more difficult or longer it takes.

There would be difficulty indeed, but to emphasize that it is with GREAT difficulty?

It's not like Dai Chen came out all haggard either.

He had already recovered when he was still back in Song Jia's space.

For Si Lan to mention this, at a time when an assassination attempt was commited, was highly suspicious.

"Well–in any case, let's not trouble my grandson's friends, including their companions. This is their first visit after all. It would embarrass the Dai clan if we are to be branded as inhospitable hosts." Dai Chen said.