The Gold Spirit was power at the highest peak in the Middle Realm. Looking throughout the entire Middle Realm, only the Nine Temple Lords of the Nine Temples held such a level of power.
Never had the past generations of Palace Lords of the Twelve Palaces ever seen one who did not seek to attain the Gold Spirit. But the requirements the Gold Spirit called for was not just as simple as cultivation, but it had something to do directly with one's soul. Regardless how gifted one was, if the aptitude of their spirit soul was inadequate, even if they cultivated for hundreds or thousands of years, they would never be able to attempt for the Gold Spirit.