Heavenly Emperor

Shangdi (onyomi: Tentei), otherwise known as the Celestial or Jade Emperor, is a Chinese mythological figure who rules Heaven and is considered one of the most important deities in Taoism, Buddhism, and other folk religions. According to Taoist beliefs, he watches over the realms of Earth and Hell while assisting his predecessor Yuanshi Tianzun of the Three Pure Ones maintain universal order. He is also responsible for the deification of the other gods and the punishment of heretics through his subordinates.

Role in Game
In the Warriors Orochi series, Shangdi is regarded as the highest-ranking leader of the mystic realm. During the events of Ultimate, he is first seen using the Shinkyō to seal the demonic troops surrounding him in his throne room. His vassal Yinglong, who misinterprets the scene as an act of treachery, turns against him by shattering the enchanted mirror. Shangdi watches powerlessly as the darkness seeping from the artifact transforms Yinglong into the demon known as Orochi. Fortunately, Fu Xi and the coalition from the future are able to save him in time.

With their help, he and the other mystics successfully mitigate the threat of the demon army. Despite his regrets in sealing Orochi away, Shangdi thanks the heroes by lending them the newly-repaired Shinkyō for their conflict against Tamamo.

Chinese Mythology
Legends claim that the Jade Emperor was originally the crown prince of a nation called the kingdom of Pure Felicity, Majestic Heavenly Lights, and Ornaments. As a newborn baby, his body shined so brightly it illuminated the whole kingdom and alerted them of his birth. He spent his formative years aiding the poor and unfortunate before inheriting his father's throne to further ensure the happiness of the people. Afterwards, he spent more than three million years cultivating his Tao, eventually attaining true immortality in the process.

Another myth describes the Jade Emperor's exploits and his ascension to godhood. At the beginning of time, the world was festering with all kinds of demons who brought suffering and torment wherever they went. Not even the gods were enough to quell their rampage. It was at this time that the Jade Emperor, who lamented his inability to help those beyond his reach, decided to isolate himself in a mountain cave and pass 3,200 trials to cultivate his Tao. While meditating in solitude to increase his wisdom, an ambitious demon did the same thing for a different purpose, to fulfill its own desire of ruling the universe. Once the demon felt strong enough, it gathered an army of monstrosities to wage war on Heaven. Though the gods themselves were put at a disadvantage, the tide of battle shifted in their favor when the enlightened Jade Emperor saw their plight. He challenged the demon and was able to overcome it with his more meaningful cultivation. As a result, he was made ruler over all by humans and immortals alike.

The hierarchy of the Jade Emperor's court is said to be a reflection of Chinese bureaucracy, with each department overseen by a leading deity. The emperor is assisted by two other divine figures: Cheng Huang, the God of Fortifications, and Tu Di Gong, the God of Households. A third assistant, the Kitchen God Zao Jun, is responsible for inspecting the activities of every household on an annual basis.

Despite his position within the Chinese pantheon, the Jade Emperor had no direct involvement in the world's creation. One myth contradicts this by crediting him as the creator of humanity. But upon building the first humans out of clay, he also inadvertently gave some of them illnesses and other abnormalities when several figures left to dry were deformed by rain. The Jade Emperor is also a relevant character in other famous legends, sometimes playing the role of instigator. One of the stories behind the Chinese zodiac has him invite twelve different animals to Heaven and divide the years between each of them.

Fengshen Yanyi
In the novel, the Jade Emperor is the father of Nuwa and the uncle of Erlang Shen. While not a relevant character, he grants the Dragon King Ao Guang permission to punish Nezha who arrogantly killed the latter's third son Ao Bing.

Journey to the West
Upon hearing of Sun Wukong's mischief from the other gods, the Jade Emperor initially pacifies the Monkey King by granting him a minor position in Heaven. This solution fails when Sun Wukong discovers the meagerness of his given title and declares himself the "Great Sage Equal to Heaven" before causing more havoc. The Jade Emperor's next attempt has him appoint the monkey as guardian of the heavenly peach garden tended by Xi Wangmu. His efforts are rendered fruitless when Sun Wukong eats the peaches of immortality in protest of not being invited to a royal banquet held for the gods. Left with no other option, he then calls upon the Buddha for divine intervention resulting in the Monkey King's imprisonment under the Five Elements Mountain.