It is, but as someone who has not done a fusion in some time the numbers required were also a shock.

i won't say you're entirely wrong, but your assumptions are largely based on faulty information. the only event that has ever dropped multiple legendary books is the summon rush. champion training events have only ever dropped one tome at most, which this one is still doing. the summon rush is also the event that tends to give 5 star chickens. they have dropped from training events in the past, but i certainly wouldn't call them a staple. 

going based on past events, i'd expect that the soul essences took the place of a 4 star chicken and an ancient shard respectively. whether that's to be considered a nerf or a buff i expect will vary depending on the individual player.

Might be, that my memory is clouded in this one...

Definitely is. :)

Carpe is correct in that multiple legendary books is unique to Summon Rush, as well as the prevalence in 5* chickens in Champ Training. Overall, I think they have the right of it in viewpoint of the rewards changes as well as what existed before.

I could however buy the gripe that some one might want the more classic rewards like a 4* chicken, shard, etc. 

I want my monthly chicken and shard.... 😆 🤣 

LOL, some may no longer get the reference, but I was thinking the same thing!

You'll get nothing and like it!!!!

i

You might be joking, but I still mourn the loss of those! 😢