Tang Hao can't see Mt. Tai, hmph!

As Verdalor's massive form crashed down in a powerful display, Tang Hao was indeed taken aback. He turned his head toward the resounding noise, his expression shifting from anger to surprise. 

Verdalor, shrouded in his Treant form, radiated an intimidating presence. He stood firm, resolute in his intention to get Ah Yin and ensure Yasaka's safety.

Meanwhile, Yasaka had seized the opportunity Verdalor provided. She slinked away into the forest, her movement silent and swift, like a wisp of smoke blending into the shadows.

She knew that her role was to secure a safe location where she could take refuge.

Verdalor, on the other hand, focused on engaging Tang Hao. He realized that this confrontation was inevitable, and he couldn't let Yasaka face the danger posed by this powerful Titled Douluo.

Verdalor's mind worked quickly, assessing the situation. He couldn't help but marvel at Tang Hao's concealment techniques, which had eluded his normally sharp senses. It was a reminder that even a powerful Spirit Beast like him had limitations and be careless at times.

Despite his frustration at being outwitted, Verdalor resolved to finish this battle swiftly. He knew he needed to protect his friend and secure her safety above all else. With his immense form and the power of the forest at his disposal, he prepared to face Tang Hao and made him realize he will lose his beloved!

Verdalor's immense form stood unwavering as Tang Hao, the Titled Douluo, launched his attack. The World Tree's calm demeanor didn't waver in the face of the formidable opponent before him. He had faced countless challenges during his long existence, and Tang Hao was just another obstacle to overcome.

Tang Hao, fueled by his desperation to reclaim Ah Yin, unleashed a tirade of insults and threats. He demanded the return of his beloved Spirit Beast, Ah Yin, and warned of dire consequences if Verdalor refused.

"You tree freak! Return Ah Yin to me now, or you will face the wrath of a Titled Douluo!"

Verdalor, never one to back down from a verbal exchange, replied with a casual insult about Tang Hao's appearance. He teased the tattered state of Tang Hao's clothing, suggesting that he looked like a beggar and implying that Verdalor had no money to offer him.

Verdalor, his voice calm and dripping with sarcasm, retorted, "Oh, my apologies. I mistook you for a common beggar with those rags you're wearing. But I suppose even beggars can dream of having riches, can't they?"

The remark seemed to strike a nerve, as Tang Hao's next words were a furious demand for Verdalor's demise.

Tang Hao's face contorted with rage, his eyes blazing. "You dare insult me? You will regret your words, hideous freak!"

With a swift motion, Tang Hao summoned his Clear Sky Hammer and propelled himself toward Verdalor at incredible speed. He intended to confront the World Tree and take Ah Yin back by force.

However, Verdalor didn't flinch. In fact, he didn't even bother to move. Instead, he raised one of his massive Treant arms, which were adorned with thorny barbs resembling a morningstar.

Tang Hao's attack met its unexpected end as his Clear Sky Hammer collided with Verdalor's extended arm. The thorny barbs on Verdalor's limb dug into Tang Hao's weapon, stopping it in its tracks.

To Tang Hao's astonishment, Verdalor remained unharmed, and the Treant's grip on the hammer was unyielding.

Tang Hao was sent tumbling backward, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief. Verdalor had displayed not only his immense strength but also his cunning and resourcefulness in this initial confrontation.

The battle had only just begun, but it was already clear that Verdalor wouldn't be an easy adversary to defeat.

As Tang Hao tumbled backward, his face still reflecting shock and disbelief, Verdalor couldn't resist a sly grin. "Well, that wasn't very impressive, was it?" he taunted, his tone dripping with condescension.

"I thought Titled Douluos were supposed to be fearsome warriors. You, on the other hand, seem more like a lost puppy."

Tang Hao, his pride wounded and his temper flaring, struggled to his feet. "You dare insult me, you overgrown shrub? I'll make you regret those words!"

Verdalor chuckled, the deep, rumbling sound echoing through the forest. "Oh, please," he retorted, his voice laced with sarcasm.

"Do try to keep up, won't you? You'll need more than a rusty old hammer and some empty threats to defeat me."

With that, Verdalor readied himself for the next round of their confrontation, fully confident that he had the upper hand in this battle of wits and strength. Tang Hao, on the other hand, seemed increasingly frustrated by the World Tree's nonchalant attitude and biting insults.

Tang Hao knew he needed to be serious because any spirit beast that could withstand a Titled Douluo's attacks was not simple. Most of them were 100,000-year-old spirit beasts and above.

He quickly gathered his spirit energy and activated his 7th spirit ring's skill, Clear Sky Hammer Spirit Avatar. The enormous black Clear Sky Hammer behind Tang Hao abruptly blossomed, intense black light surging, and that tremendous hammer turned windward, unexpectedly growing more than a hundred meters long.

The gigantic hammerhead was just like a small mountain.

Verdalor sensed the power behind the avatar and realized that a Titled Douluo's martial avatar was no joke. He thought that this should be humans' last spirit ring skill as he groaned at their easy power-up.

Then, Verdalor enveloped himself with thicker and thicker barks as he transformed into his eldritch form! The monstrosity showed himself to the world, hide your children, don't let your wives witness it.

Verdalor's appearance screamed fear, he looked like the embodiment of a hideous and scary monster! If the abyss took a shape, then it will be Verdalor in his eldritch form.

Tang Hao was shocked, his face filled with fear, his legs were shaking to their boot! But, he persevered as he initiated his 9th spirit ring's skill, Gigantic Hammer.

Red lines after red lines appeared on the gigantic Clear Sky Hammer. Tang Hao's hundred-thousand-year red spirit ring abruptly flared, turning the once black giant hammer all red in an instant.

Then, Verdalor also began to gather spirit energy near his maw to launch his attacks at Tang Hao. It was a skill that he still didn't master due to his huge spirit energy reserve but Verdalor knew it will be enough for Tang Hao's level.

Verdalor roared as his converged ball of spirit energy was sent towards Tang Hao, "World Tree's Lament!"

Tang Hao watched in awe and trepidation as Verdalor unleashed his attack. The ground trembled beneath the force of Verdalor's Lament, and the very air seemed to vibrate with power.

As Verdalor's attack launched upon him, Tang Hao knew he had to act quickly. With a determined expression, he swung the gigantic red Clear Sky Hammer in his hand.

He started to used Great Sumeru Hammer! This is a special technique taught to only one person in each generation of Clear Sky Clan because the demand it requires of the body.

This technique involves condensing all spirit rings into one body, and then channeling it into Clear Sky Hammer, turning into the purest strength and attack power. The Great Sumeru Hammer is actually a God technique, only able to be fully utilized when the user attains God level.

But Tang Hao didn't stop at that and started exploding his spirit rings! It is a life-risking technique of the Great Sumeru Hammer.

Each spirit ring can perform the exploding ring once. The power of each spirit ring could burst out completely and turn into power, merged to the attack to create formidable force that far surpassed the original attack.

The higher the quality of the spirit rings, the greater the force will be. Each spirit ring can launch one attack.

After all had exploded, the user will become very fragile. If the user can't control the power of the exploding rings, he will be devoured by the exploding power.

And Tang Hao just explode his 9th spirit ring!

Verdalor cursed at Tang Hao as he didn't follow the script, "Who put their all in the first attack!? Tang Hao, don't you know we need some build up! Sigh, but can't you sensed that...IT WAS STILL NOT ENOUGH!"

Verdalor then shot a beam of spirit energy towards his World Tree's Lament to increase the power of his launched attack by providing it with more spirit energy. Shout out to his boundless reserve!

Then, Tang Hao's weapon that was brimmed with sparks and lightning, crackled as it collided with Verdalor's attack. Tang Hao gritted his teeth, pouring all his spirit power into the Gigantic Hammer to hold his ground.

Verdalor, on the other hand, felt the impact reverberate through his immense form. He was taken aback by Tang Hao's strength and determination but he was still confident in his prowess.

With sparks of anger and frustration in his eyes, Tang Hao unleashed a barrage of insults, threatening Verdalor with dire consequences. Verdalor, in response, continued to taunt him, adding fuel to the fire of their confrontation.

The enraged Tang Hao, battered and bloodied with his robes disintegrated, was a sight to behold. His appearance had been reduced to a mess of cuts, bruises, and scorched skin by the waves od aura spilled due to the collision of their respective attacks.

But his determination remained unwavering, fueled by his burning desire to reclaim Ah Yin.

Tang Hao, his voice strained with effort, yelled over the cacophony of battle, "You may be a powerful spirit beast, but I won't back down!

Ah Yin belongs with me, and I'll do whatever it takes to bring her home!"

Verdalor's deep, rumbling voice resonated through the battlefield as he replied, "You humans are always so persistent. But if you want Ah Yin back...meh, forget it.

You'll never get her! Muahahaha!"

He couldn't help but chuckle, seemingly unburdened by the battle's intensity. Verdalor stood as a monument of power and composure amidst the chaos of the battlefield.

His massive eldritch form remained unchanged despite the ferocious clash. His bark-covered body glistened with an ethereal light, his thorny barbs and branches extending like a menacing forest.

The resulting explosion that followed their clash was nothing short of cataclysmic. It was deafening, as if the very heavens had unleashed their fury upon the earth.

"KABOOOM!!"

Shockwaves rippled out in all directions, shattering the surrounding landscape. Trees, both massive and modest, were uprooted by the sheer force of the collision, their trunks splintered like matchsticks.

Tang Hao, now laying amidst the wreckage, was battered and injured beyond measure. He mumbled something unintelligible, his voice barely audible over the ringing in his ears, before succumbing to unconsciousness. His spirit had been broken, at least for the time being.

Verdalor then reverted his transformation into a treant, stood tall and victorious over the fallen Titled Douluo. His ancient eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and a sense of enigmatic purpose.

With a knowing smirk, he addressed his fallen foe, his voice resonating through the still-settling dust and debris. "Don't hate me and think I'm a villain," Verdalor mused, his words carrying a weight of ambiguity.

"History will decide if I'm a villain or a hero!"

'As if, I will be always a hero. A hero for myself, hehe.

I'll spare you as Tang San still need his father to grow up. Or not?

I think I need to find someone who can do soul search to read Tang San's memory as soon as possible.

Now, let's get out from here and meet Yasaka. Then, I'll decide what I want to do wth Ah Yin.'

As the dust gradually cleared, the battlefield lay in ruins, Verdalor turned and began to depart, leaving Tang Hao in the aftermath of their fierce battle. The forest slowly settled back into a peaceful serenity, the echoes of their confrontation gradually fading away.