Years 51–60: The Call of the Elements
A century after Tempest's reformation, a profound change began within cultivators' Inner Soul Trees. For the first time, trees sprouted Elemental Roots, absorbing elemental Qi from the environment. Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Lightning, and other elements began merging with cultivators' Inner Soul Trees, granting them profound new abilities tied to these elements. This phenomenon was termed the Awakening of the Elemental Trees and marked a pivotal shift in cultivation practices.
The Heavenly Tree responded by radiating waves of pure elemental energy, transforming the land into elemental zones. Volcanoes erupted in the south, birthing the Flame Abyss, while the frozen north turned into the Crystal Glaciers. Cultivators had to seek these elemental regions to strengthen their Elemental Trees, sparking a golden age of exploration. However, the Verdant Clan restricted access to the Heart of Tempest, the richest elemental zone near the Heavenly Tree.
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Years 61–80: The Elemental Wars
The rise of Elemental Trees also reignited old tensions. Factions began specializing in specific elements, leading to ideological and territorial disputes. The Scarlet Flame Sect, fueled by their fire-aligned trees, clashed with the Glacial Moon Sect, whose water-aligned trees granted them powerful ice abilities. These conflicts escalated into the Elemental Wars, drawing in dozens of smaller sects and clans.
During this time, the Verdant Sovereign broke his silence. Summoning the world's leaders, he decreed that "Elemental Qi belongs to all, not the few." His intervention led to the establishment of the Elemental Accord, creating boundaries and rules for cultivating in elemental zones. Despite this, smaller skirmishes persisted, particularly in unregulated wildlands.
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Years 81–90: The Elemental Beasts
As cultivators evolved their Elemental Trees, so too did the magical beasts of Tempest. Beasts with elemental affinities began to emerge, such as the Thunder Roc, which dominated the skies, and the Molten Core Serpent, which burrowed beneath volcanic lands. These beasts were drawn to cultivators whose elemental Qi matched their own, forming unique bonds as companions or, in rare cases, as equals.
The Beast Sovereign returned to the forefront, claiming dominion over all elemental beasts. Under his leadership, the Beast Courts of Elemental Sovereignty were established, each court aligned with a specific element. The courts' power rivaled even the strongest human factions, leading to a delicate balance of power between humans and beasts.
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Years 91–99: The Trials of Elements
In the final years of the century, the Heavenly Tree unleashed its greatest mystery yet: the Trials of Elements. Within its branches appeared glowing portals, each leading to an elemental domain where cultivators and beasts could test their mastery. These trials were said to grant blessings, treasures, and even the chance to awaken a Second Elemental Root, allowing cultivators to master multiple elements.
The trials were perilous, with only the strongest surviving. Among those who succeeded was Lunara Glade, a prodigy of the Verdant Clan, who became the first cultivator to awaken Dual Roots of Ice and Light, earning her the title Elemental Empress. Her feat inspired others to take the trials, though few were able to follow in her footsteps.
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Year 100: The Dawn of the Elemental Age
By the end of the 100 years, the Awakening of Elemental Trees had transformed the continent of Tempest. Cultivation was no longer just about absorbing Soul Qi; it now required mastering the elements, forming bonds with beasts, and passing the Heavenly Tree's trials. The factions that adapted to this new era thrived, while those that clung to old ways began to fade.
The Verdant Sovereign declared the start of the Elemental Age, urging all beings to prepare for an unknown future. Whispers spread of the Primordial Elemental Tree, a rumored counterpart to the Heavenly Tree, hidden somewhere on Tempest. Its awakening, many believed, would decide the fate of the continent and its inhabitants.