As the premier large merchant association in the Borderlands, the Peng Clan itself had talents emerging in large numbers, no less impressive than a great family with deep foundations.
Moreover, over tens of thousands of years, its systematic Cultivation System had produced a large number of non-clan Golden Core Cultivators.
Fourteen—this was the conclusion the outside world had reached after meticulous calculations.
Beyond that, the Wanlong Merchant Association's even larger group consisted of Guest Elders recruited through all manner of means. Though the vast majority of Guest Elders enjoyed privileges without contributing anything, a small number of Loose Cultivators and cultivators of humble origins chose to serve the Wanlong Merchant Association.
After all, the Wanlong Merchant Association's treatment had always ranked among the best in the Borderlands, second only to the Myriad Manifestations Palace. It was also far freer, allowing people to come and go as they pleased.
Speaking of which, Song Changsheng himself was one of them. After breaking through to the Golden Core Stage, his original silver VIP Waist Token had automatically upgraded into a gold VIP Waist Token, placing him on the same level as the old man blocking his path.
He had never deliberately investigated before, and only now did he discover that the number of cultivators who had chosen to serve the Wanlong Merchant Association far exceeded his expectations.
However, just how much loyalty these people had toward the Wanlong Merchant Association remained a question mark.
Rather than a merchant association, Wanlong was more like a loose alliance brought together by profit.
This model had allowed the Wanlong Merchant Association to grow, but it had also become its shackles. Though it possessed great strength and financial resources, it had never been able to truly rule one side.
Because it lacked the most important thing: cohesion.