The tale that the Jade Emperor abdicated his throne, and was succeeded by Kuan Sheng as the 18th Jade Emperor (there are no records at all about the first seventeen), has been floating around among the common folk for quite some time. This is especially believed among the plethora of popular sects (mainly those which believe in Kuan Kung and Chi Kung).
關於玉皇大帝禪位、由關聖帝君繼任第十八代天帝（至於前十七代是何方神聖，道書上並無記載）的傳言，民間由來已久，尤其以信仰關公、濟公為主的鸞門教派更是篤信不疑。