I have the second highest level in my server, my trick is the higher level the lab the more experience you get(and a lot of it) even if it means I wait the 10minutes for escaping enemies that I cant beat, I spend gems for extra labs just for the experience and if my stamina is full I use the auto level up to farm for ingredients for the next weapon I expect to get from heroics. the best part is I never have to farm for ingredients for weapon upgrades because I usually have them