Ashen Mist Heart

Next on the agenda is to collect the Ashen Mist Heart from the Ancient Dragon. There is no need to fight the boss. Exhausting its dialogue is sufficient for you to receive the item. The path to the Ancient Dragon is dangerous because it is easy to trigger enemies to gank you. Equip the Ring of Life Protection, choose which enemies to fight, and carefully dash to the arena of the Ancient Dragon.

Speedrun through Dragon Shrine NG+7, Dark Souls 2 SotFS

Dragon Shrine

Start from the Shrine Entrance bonfire. Ascend a flight of stairs to find a Drakekeeper surrounded by various Dragon Knights. Running past all enemies would trigger them to chase after you. However, if you fight the Drakekeeper, then the Dragon Knights would not gank you and allow you to honour fight the Drakekeeper. Crystal Soul Spear should allow you to kill the Drakekeeper within three to four casts. Consume a Brightbug to boost your damage output. Defeat the Drakekeeper and you can safely proceed to the next area. Here you will find another Drakekeeper surrounded by another group of Dragon Knights. Repeat the same honour fight to allow you safe passage through the area. Rinse and repeat for the third Drakekeeper. Proceed through two doors to find an ascending flight of stairs guarded by a gang of Dragon Knights and a Greatsword-wielding Dragon Knight. You are meant to duel the Greatsword-wielding Dragon Knight, but this Dragon Knight is much more difficult to fight than any of the Drakekeepers. Run past all enemies, head up the staircase, and dodge your way to the Ancient Dragon. Exhaust the dialogue of the Ancient Dragon to receive the Ashen Mist Heart. As long as you are close to the Ancient Dragon, the Dragon Knights would not be able to approach you. Collect the Ashen Mist Heart and warp back to the Shrine Entrance bonfire.