If Zhang Feng was the only person in charge of Phoenix cry peak, it would be useless no matter how many outer sect disciples you recruited.
Ten outer sect disciples were not comparable to one inner sect disciple, and ten inner sect disciples were not comparable to one core disciple. Therefore, the strength of a Mountain Gate still depended on the number of experts.
In the beginning, the HU family didn't take Zhang Feng's expansion as a serious matter. But what happened later made them regret it.
After Zhang Feng gained the power to expand the sect, tie zhantian assigned seven of his proudest disciples to Zhang Feng. This allowed Zhang Feng's Phoenix Peak to have seven more nascent Soul Stage cultivators to guard it. This kind of strength was stronger than any of the core disciples of the black Tiger Gang.