Years 11–20: The Era of Discovery
With the Chaos Spawn suppressed, the continent of Tempest entered an age of exploration and innovation. Smaller clans, sects, and individual cultivators began spreading across the vast land, eager to claim untouched regions brimming with Soul Qi. The Primordial Verdant Clan, though dominant, shifted its focus inward, allowing others to explore freely while they fortified their control over the Heavenly Tree's surroundings. During this time, many cultivators unlocked unique abilities through their Inner Soul Trees, marking the rise of prodigies across the continent.
The Heavenly Tree, however, began revealing more mysteries. Its branches produced Golden Fruits that would fall to the land every decade. These fruits, when consumed, accelerated cultivation growth and strengthened Inner Soul Trees. The competition for these fruits became fierce, with conflicts breaking out among smaller sects and clans. The Verdant Sovereign decreed that any fruit falling within their territory was theirs by right, further solidifying their dominance.
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Years 21–30: The Rise of Beasts
The reawakening of magical beasts became a defining feature of this decade. Beasts began evolving their own Soul Trees, a phenomenon previously thought exclusive to humans. Ancient species such as the Tempest Storm Drake and the Azure Sky Wolf returned, each claiming territories as vast as continents on Earth. Cultivators who sought to tame or partner with these beasts were met with fierce resistance.
The Beast Sovereign, a newly awakened Ancestral Beast, rose to prominence during this era, gathering powerful beasts under its banner. The Beast Sovereign issued a warning to humanity: "Do not tread on our lands, or face extinction." This led to tensions between humans and beasts, though open war was avoided due to the Verdant Sovereign's intervention. Recognizing the importance of coexistence, the Verdant Clan brokered an agreement between humans and beasts, creating neutral zones where both could cultivate without interference.
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Years 31–40: The Era of Clashes
Despite the truce, tensions between factions began to boil over. Ambitious sects sought to expand their influence, leading to battles over territory, resources, and Golden Fruits. The most prominent conflict occurred between the Skyflame Sect and the Ironwood Clan, two rising powers with opposing cultivation philosophies. The clash ended with the intervention of the Verdant Clan, but not before significant destruction was wrought on both sides.
Amidst the chaos, rumors spread of Chaos Spawn remnants hiding in the darkest corners of the land. These whispers led to expeditions into the Void Abyss, a mysterious region believed to house the corrupted energy from the Heavenly Tree's fractured root. Many cultivators perished, but those who returned brought back treasures and strange new insights into the cultivation of Inner Soul Trees.
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Years 41–50: The Era of Ascension
By the fourth decade, the first cultivators reached the Ancient Stage, their Inner Soul Trees towering within their Dantian. These cultivators, now revered as Tree Ancestors, became the pillars of their respective factions. The Verdant Clan produced several such prodigies, further cementing their authority.
The Heavenly Tree, seemingly responding to the growth of the continent's inhabitants, began producing Silver Blossoms, flowers that granted insight into the Dao of the Soul Tree. These blossoms were rarer than the Golden Fruits, and their appearance caused worldwide uproar. The Verdant Sovereign declared a Heavenly Blossom Gathering, where cultivators could compete for the right to claim these treasures. This gathering became a grand event that unified the continent, drawing cultivators and beasts alike.
By the 50th year, the continent of Tempest had stabilized into a vibrant and thriving land. Factions, beasts, and individuals continued to grow stronger, while the Heavenly Tree silently watched over them, its mysteries still largely unknown. The seeds of future conflicts, alliances, and discoveries were firmly planted, promising an even greater era ahead.