The developer had made improvements and increased payouts for merchant and shaman, but seems like the event energy costs have also increased, in response. To compete in events, you have a choice: be glued to your phone, all the time, or spend. The third option, which I often do now, ignore the event, and focus on the story islands and developing your buildings. I'm at level 44. Building improvement requirements are extremely difficult now. They take days, if not a week or two.