Champion or character level does not equal your faction's quest level.

Instead, the game distinguishes several adventure related faction and world levels. Yes, sounds complicated at first.

Basically its monster & heroes level, quest level, notable location (or goodie huts) level and hidden resource level. All of them again for your individual faction and the world in general. The world level is thereby seemingly always the highest level across all the factions.

The mentioned individual levels are thereby increased researching particular branches in the adventure tech research tree. For the kingdoms I e.g. explained it in this thread to the best of my knowledge:

https://forums.elementalgame.com/392701

Hope this helps and does not confuse you more than you already seem to be. *evil grin*

Rabenhoff