I don't know if it was intentional, but it seemed like all the palaces were giving Spirit Crane Palace a break by letting them go last.

When the Spirit Crane Palace disciples were announced, the crowd erupted in cheers, completely different from the tense, competitive atmosphere earlier.

Other palaces were rivals, but Spirit Crane Palace was not.

The opponent drawn for Spirit Crane Palace was Green Wood Palace.

At this moment, the Head Elder of Green Wood Palace was grinning like a Cheshire cat. This wasn't a competition; it was practically a free pass to the next round!

The disciple representing Green Wood Palace was named Xu Sheng, one of the most outstanding disciples this year.

Xu Sheng stood on the stage with a relaxed smile, feeling no pressure at all for this match.

The Great Elder appointed Mu Bai to fight. Compared to Xu Sheng's ease, Mu Bai looked completely stiff.

"Junior Brother Mu Bai, don't be nervous. Just do your best," Chu Xinghe smiled reassuringly.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Xinghe!" Mu Bai gritted his teeth, nodded, and then stepped onto the stage.

Watching Mu Bai step onto the stage, Chu Xinghe's mind was already playing a congratulatory tune.

Just watch! The record for the fastest defeat is about to be set!

Not only will Spirit Crane Palace take last place, but we'll also set the record for the fastest defeat. Who else could do that?

The Great Elder also wore a cheerful expression. Knowing they would lose, maintaining dignity was enough.

The disciples from other palaces were laughing and joking. After a series of nerve-wracking battles, the appearance of Spirit Crane Palace's disciple was like a light-hearted joke to ease the tension.

However, everyone couldn't help but marvel.

Look at Green Wood Palace's luck! They drew Spirit Crane Palace just like that. Why didn't we get that kind of luck?

"Mu Bai greets Senior Brother Xu Sheng..."

"Hello, Junior Brother Mu Bai. We can start now. Feel free to make your move," Xu Sheng said with a smile.

It wasn't that he didn't want to make the first move; the elders had instructed him earlier.

Even though Spirit Crane Palace's disciple was here to give them a win, he had to give them some face, give the Great Elder some face, and give Senior Brother Xinghe some face.

So, let the Spirit Crane Palace disciple perform a bit first, and then defeat him. You have to handle social interactions well!

Although Xu Sheng was young, he understood social nuances.

Junior Brother Mu Bai, just make your move. I'll cooperate with your performance and ensure you lose with dignity!

Mu Bai took a deep breath, glanced at Senior Brother Xinghe, who was smiling at him, and at that moment, he hesitated no more.

He activated the wood spirit within him and the Great Evolution Heavenly Gold Art, stepping forward to Xu Sheng and throwing a punch, thinking about his next combo.

But just as Mu Bai thought of his next move... where was Xu Sheng?

Wait, Senior Brother Xu Sheng, how did you end up under the stage?

Wake up, why are you unconscious?

Mu Bai remained in his striking pose, completely bewildered.

He wasn't the only one confused; everyone in the martial arts training ground was too...

When Mu Bai stepped onto the stage and Xu Sheng let Mu Bai make the first move, the big shots from various palaces nodded approvingly. Xu Sheng understood social nuances.

But amidst everyone's smiles, Mu Bai's punch exploded with terrifying golden light on the stage.

Xu Sheng didn't even have time to defend himself before he was sent flying off the stage!

Mu Bai was stunned...

The entire venue was stunned...

Chu Xinghe: "???"

What the hell just happened? What happened to the relaxing show?

How did Mu Bai relax Xu Sheng right off the stage?

After a brief silence, the scene descended into chaos.

The Green Wood Palace elder rushed to the unconscious Xu Sheng under the stage, and upon checking him, they were dumbfounded.

Knocked out?

Xu Sheng, hailed as Green Wood Palace's most outstanding disciple, was knocked out by Mu Bai in one move?

Did Mu Bai use some underhanded trick?

Seeing this, Chu Xinghe got excited. Mu Bai, oh Mu Bai, you didn't disappoint me. If it's confirmed you used some underhanded trick, it would be explosive!

While Chu Xinghe was reveling in excitement, the Sect Master appeared at the edge of the stage to personally check on the unconscious Xu Sheng.

There was no danger, and no irregular methods were found?

The Sect Master looked bewildered at the equally bewildered Mu Bai.

"Come, strike me!"

"Ah... Disciple... Disciple doesn't dare..."

"When I say strike, you strike!"

Under the Sect Master's command, Mu Bai dared not disobey and punched at the Sect Master just as before.

This time, everyone saw clearly. As Mu Bai swung his fist, a burst of golden light exploded from his fist, striking the Sect Master and dissipating.

Mu Bai's strength couldn't possibly harm Gu Mingchao, but after this punch, Gu Mingchao's expression changed dramatically!

"The power of Source Gold!"

The power of Source Gold?

Upon hearing the Sect Master mention the power of Source Gold, all the elders stood up.

The power of Source Gold is a term used in cultivating metal-based techniques, and only the most talented individuals in metal cultivation can develop it.

Once the power of Source Gold is developed, all metal-based techniques undergo a qualitative change. At this moment, no one doubted the Sect Master's judgment.

But... isn't Mu Bai a disciple from Muyue Nation?

Aren't they born with wood spirits? What the hell is this power of Source Gold?

Why would those born with wood spirits cultivate metal techniques?

And the strangest thing is, how can your wood spirits cultivate metal techniques and develop the power of Source Gold?

What happened to metal overcoming wood? Aren't you supposed to be countered?

The scene was in chaos, with many elders flying onto the stage, examining Mu Bai as if he were a treasure.

After a thorough examination by a group of elders, everyone confirmed that Mu Bai had indeed developed the power of Source Gold, and the Great Evolution Heavenly Gold Art he cultivated had exploded!

"Sect Master, elders... Disciple doesn't understand what the power of Source Gold is, but it seems all three hundred of us who cultivated the Great Evolution Heavenly Gold Art have developed it..."

Mu Bai's words brought a chorus of gasps and made Chu Xinghe feel like vomiting blood.

What? All three hundred of you have comprehended this?

What happened to metal overcoming wood? You're not metal overcoming wood; you're overcoming us!

The scene was truly chaotic, with countless elders beginning to examine the disciples from Muyue Nation one by one. The results were explosive.

Mu Bai wasn't lying. All the disciples from Muyue Nation present had comprehended the power of Source Gold.

This meant that the disciples from Muyue Nation were actually the most suitable for cultivating metal techniques. Not only did they advance quickly, but they were nearly invincible at the same level.

Finally, everyone understood. It wasn't that Xu Sheng was weak, nor that Mu Bai used underhanded methods; Mu Bai was just too strong.

Even at the same martial artist level, the talents from Muyue Nation were inherently stronger than average. Their stats were explosive anywhere, and their foundation was solid.

In this situation, cultivating the Great Evolution Heavenly Gold Art and developing the power of Source Gold made them nearly invincible at the same level.

Forget about that one time; even if it happened a hundred times, Xu Sheng would still be instantly defeated by Mu Bai.

The Great Elder also came onto the stage, and after some inquiries, Mu Bai recounted how Senior Brother Xinghe had them practice both gold and fire techniques.

As Mu Bai finished his story, the scene fell silent again.

"Metal overcomes wood. Normally, those with wood-based constitutions can't cultivate metal techniques, but the physique of Muyue Nation is special. Their wood spirits can't be developed, but Xinghe found a different path, using metal techniques to break through! Truly, it's a case of breaking to establish!" Gu Mingchao's eyes were red with excitement.

Previously, Chu Xinghe's fire techniques had allowed Muyue Nation to defy fate, transforming from useless to genius alchemists.

But just when everyone was praising Xinghe, they realized his methods weren't over yet.

Dual cultivation of gold and fire!

Fire techniques turned Muyue Nation into genius alchemists, and metal techniques broke through, allowing them to gain the power of Source Gold with their wood spirits. Now, Muyue Nation disciples were not only genius alchemists, but their path in cultivation was also wide open.

With the power of Source Gold, the disciples from Muyue Nation had a smooth path ahead!

All this time, because no one paid attention to the disciples from Muyue Nation, they had no guidance or sparring partners and could only train among themselves.

But they grew rapidly, without realizing how much they had improved.

However, when Mu Bai faced Xu Sheng, the gap was immediately exposed.

One punch... just a casual punch, and the strongest disciple of this generation from Green Wood Palace was instantly defeated by Mu Bai.

Moreover, according to the elders' judgment, not only Mu Bai, but any of the three hundred disciples from Muyue Nation could potentially defeat Xu Sheng in an instant!

The entire martial arts training ground was in an uproar!

Mu Bai's eyes were red as he looked at Senior Brother Xinghe in the distance, tears streaming down his face.

When Senior Brother Xinghe had them practice both gold and fire techniques, the fire techniques were for alchemy, but what was the use of the metal techniques? Mu Bai felt deeply remorseful for doubting whether Senior Brother Xinghe had chosen the wrong techniques.

Senior Brother Xinghe had foreseen everything.

As the Sect Master said, metal overcomes wood, breaking to establish!

Muyue Nation had truly broken to establish this time!

From today onwards, Muyue Nation was no longer a group of useless individuals. They were undisputed super geniuses, all thanks to Senior Brother Xinghe.

Parents give life, but Senior Brother Xinghe gave us a new life!

The Great Elder also looked at Chu Xinghe with disbelief.

Earlier, when he asked Xinghe who he thought would win first place, Xinghe casually said Spirit Crane Palace, and everyone thought he was joking.

But now, everyone realized... it wasn't a joke; it was a hint all along.

It's just that no one had thought of it!

Chu Xinghe didn't know if anyone else had thought of it, but he just wanted to die...