What's the point with that quite lackluster story in Endwalker?

[KageTokage]

I feel like Ardbert's consciousness simply took some time to fade away completely after he merged with us, akin to how those who've passed into the Lifestream hold onto their memories temporarily before they've been completely cleansed and rendered a blank slate fit to be reborn.

Also, everyone's character would've been alive during the seventh umbral calamity and I find a touch strange that there's no mention of people feeling different or otherwise sensing some manner of change in its aftermath. You'd think an overall increase in the world's aetherial density would be detectable and a potential cause for concern for some.