Leves definitely. I had 99 saved up since I had no use for them and I from a lv 10 botanist to a 50 in just a few mind numbing days only to find out that higher lv mats cost roughly the same as the lower lv ones.

Now that I know better spending gc seals for a survival manual will help boost it.

Also hq gathering gear every 5-10 levels will help.

Combining resting bonuses +food+ maybe fc helping hand will help tremendously.