How does Ascend work in Magic: The Gathering and what are its effects on gameplay?

In Magic: The Gathering, Ascend is a mechanic that rewards players for controlling a certain number of permanents. When a player has the city's blessing, they gain a powerful advantage, such as additional abilities or bonuses. Ascend can impact gameplay by encouraging players to build their board presence and strategize to achieve the city's blessing, which can shift the balance of power in the game.