The difference is *overall* only 3.5mil.. it used to be that no single stage was more than 4.5 mil (I think). the problem is by the time the increase was implemented MANY were already at those final couple stages so there's an immediate 7+Mil increase there and they do NOT reap the benefit of a decrease in lower stages.
This. Devs are PENALIZING players that were already awakening characters.