In the end, after an exchange that wasn't particularly long, the two finally understood the entire story.
"You were invited by another True Disciple of Tianling Ridge to help research the connection between biological demonization and soul variation, and then that person just happened to be the person in charge of the Empirical Department that I applied to. We are now working on the same project."
Beifeng's honest face showed a relieved smile, "Not bad, not bad."
"Oh." Wang Qi turned away expressionlessly, "This project puts too much mental pressure on me, I can't take it on, please, Senior Brother, find someone more competent."
"Hold on." Beifeng hurriedly said, "What about the agreement we had!"
"Your research methods are too radical for me, just a layperson, to understand," Wang Qi sighed, "And to think, in order to study demonization, you would deeply interact with untransformed demon beasts—I admire the sacrifice you've made for seeking the Dao."