In the third dimension, marry whoever you wish.

She was intimately familiar with spatial abilities. In her previous life, most people awakened powers related to metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, while only a select few awakened storage space abilities. Those with planting spaces were even rarer. Back then, her team had two members who possessed ordinary spaces. They were responsible for storing supplies that Meng Yun and the others collected during their missions. Whenever they needed food or materials, these teammates would retrieve them from their spaces. One group ensured the safety of the others, while the others managed provisions and procurement. Together, they banded closely for mutual support and survival.

Because spaces were soul-bound, there was no fear of them being stolen. In her previous life, anyone with a space didn’t worry about others discovering it. In fact, those with planting spaces would sometimes want to advertise their abilities openly, hoping more people would know and protect them in exchange for more food and resources.

Unexpectedly, she had somehow acquired a space herself, though she didn’t know what type. Even without her powers, having a space was a good lifeline.

“Host, why are you laughing?” a mechanical voice sounded.

“Oh, I’m just happy. I didn’t expect to have a cheat when crossing over,” Meng Yun said, holding back from mocking the system’s name.

“You little brat, can you give me a brief introduction to this space? Also, why did I cross over? Does it have anything to do with you?” Meng Yun asked.

“Host, this is the Merit Boundless System, currently at its initial state. From now on, activating any function will consume merit points, which you earn by punishing evil, promoting good, and saving lives. Since in your last life you killed countless zombies and zombie beasts and ultimately died saving others, you were recognized by the Cosmic Space System,” the little brat answered.

Meng Yun examined her Merit Boundless System space. “Wow,” she muttered, swearing under her breath. Within her spiritual sense, there was only a dry well, surrounded by thick white mist, making everything unclear.

“So this initial space state you mentioned is just a dry well?” she asked, her tone sour.

“Yes, host. Every host starts with the same basic mode. Once you earn merit points, the space will evolve level by level. There’s nothing impossible for a space, only what you cannot imagine,” the little brat replied cheerfully.

“How many levels are there in total?” Meng Yun inquired.

“There’s no limit. The highest record in the Cosmic Space System is level nine thousand, created by someone from another small world,” the little brat answered.

“My goodness! What happened to that person? Did they meet their end despite being so powerful?” Meng Yun asked.

“That’s a secret. I’ll tell you when you reach level eight thousand,” came the teasing reply.

“You little trickster, playing coy now,” Meng Yun said, glancing at the sky. Her clothes were dry, so she dressed and prepared to go home.

“Host, there are a lot of people at your house right now!” the little brat glanced toward the Meng family compound.

“Whoever it is, let them come. If they provoke me, I’ll fight. If I can’t win... I’ll run,” Meng Yun said dismissively.

“By the way, little brat, I’ve lost my powers. Are they gone for good, or can I cultivate them back?” she asked.

“Well... telling you everything would spoil the fun. I have to return to the Cosmic Space System for a meeting to handle some matters. You’re on your own here. Good luck!” With that, the voice vanished.

“Hey, hey, little brat! What’s wrong? Talk to me!” Meng Yun called out, surprised by how unreliable the space spirit was, leaving just like that. A spirit having meetings? Who would believe that?

After calling a few times with no response, Meng Yun finished dressing and headed home, ready to face whatever storms or thorns awaited her.

Along the way, she casually picked up a stick as thick as her forearm—that would be her weapon for the day.

Meng Village had about sixty or seventy households, each spaced apart over a wide area. It was past noon; the older and younger folks were napping, while the able-bodied young had mostly gone to the Meng family to watch the commotion.

Meng Yun saw few people on her way home.

Upon arriving, she found her courtyard surrounded by three layers of people inside and three outside, unfazed by the heat. Some even sat on stools, cracking melon seeds.

They really liked stirring up trouble.

“Make way, make way!” Meng Yun pushed through a group of old women at the gate.

“Oh, the main character’s back,” someone said.

“Not gonna lie, that girl is handsome. If the old Meng weren’t so strict about family reputation, I’d consider marrying her off as a daughter-in-law,” another chimed in.

“Aunt Wang, stop dreaming. Marry into the Meng family, and you better be ready for your good things to be taken by your birth family. You’ll constantly have to guard against them trying to fleece you,” another said.

“Exactly. Who can handle a family like that?” they all spoke loudly, not caring that the Meng family could hear.

Meng Yun squeezed inside and surveyed the courtyard, smirking at the shameless group.

“You little brat, still showing up! Where have you been sneaking off to find men? How dare you disgrace the Meng family like this!” Mrs. Bao yelled, her voice hoarse.

Meng Yun smiled faintly, standing to the side and watching Mrs. Bao. She wanted to see if anything intelligent could come out of that foul mouth.

“What did I do to deserve such insults?” Meng Yun asked with a smile.

“You wicked girl, secretly meeting wild men in the mountains and bringing shame to the Meng family,” Mrs. Bao scolded, puzzled that this brat dared to talk back and seemed indifferent. Shouldn’t she be meek and silently sobbing?

“Who am I secretly meeting? Grandma, don’t accuse me without reason. I have endless work every day and no time for such nonsense.” Her words made it clear that her family exploited her labor thoroughly.

“You...” Mrs. Bao looked at Meng Yun as if meeting a stranger for the first time, stunned by how reasonable and well-spoken she was, leaving her speechless.

“Mother, maybe it’s all a misunderstanding. Please stop. Yun’er is grown now and should find a husband,” the eldest daughter-in-law, Xu Cuiyun, whispered, seeming to smooth things over but actually pushing Meng Yun toward another conflict.

“Hmm,” Mrs. Bao nodded. If the brat wouldn’t obey, she’d find a place that would make her listen.

“Marry whoever you want. Besides, my sisters aren’t married yet, so I’m not in a hurry. If Aunt is anxious, she can have Sister Ling marry first—her fiancé is already here,” Meng Yun said, glancing at Meng Ling and the cold butcher.

Meng Ling was the cherished daughter of the eldest Meng family branch, raised delicately and never doing hard labor. The roughest thing she’d done was help her mother cook. She had delicate, refined features and flawless, pale skin untouched by the sun.

The cold butcher’s eyes flickered as he looked at Meng Ling. She was much better than the other girl—handsome and fair-skinned. He even briefly imagined the scene if he were to sleep with her.