Given the *entire* content in Adoulin is based off level 99 and item stats are based off "content level", I'm not surprised in the least by this. I actually welcome it, it makes more sense to me, given the entire equipment design logic behind Adoulin. Also means the gear will be more useful, which is always a plus.
Relic/Empyrean armor could very well exist too later on but obviously with higher item levels. Level 99 requirement means nothing when all the Adoulin gear is based off content levels instead.