Celestial bureaucracy

The Celestial bureaucracy is the pantheon of Chinese mythology. As the name suggests, it is organised similarly to a government administration (patterned after political structures found in the Han dynasty), with the Jade Emperor as the senior official to whom the other deities must report. The constituents of this bureaucracy are decided in the Underworld, where extremely good souls will rise to heaven. They govern aspects of our world, like fire or epidemics.

Many notable immortals are included in this pantheon, and one can get into it by applying for a post (only if you are a rather strong god), or committing a good deed in the name of heaven, and thus possibly get an honorable title or a reward. Note that there are spiritual forces higher than it, like Tai Shan Lao Jun and the three sacred masters of the Dao.